How Your Attitude Drives Achievement

How Your Attitude Drives Achievement

In a world where we are constantly striving for the various fruits and forms of personal development and self-improvement, one concept consistently stands out as a driving force behind success: attitude. Success certainly does not look nor sound the same. Even in the academic world, I’ve often listened to people speak out their work and goals where, rather than using low modal words like “I hope to” or “I plan on”, they rather strategically employ “I will”. This certainty, drive, and confidence that composes your attitude may seem like a vague and intangible quality, nonetheless, the link between attitude and achievement is grounded in neurology. Researchers have explored the psychological and neurological mechanisms underlying this connection, and they shed light on the multidimensional explanation on why or how a positive attitude can shape your ability to fulfill your ambitions… as I will do today.

Central to the link between attitude and achievement is the concept of self-efficacy: your belief in your own abilities to accomplish particular tasks or achieve specific goals. Psychologist Albert Bandura first introduced this concept, and recent neurological studies reveal that when someone experiences success or even just envisions it positively, their brains are shown to release dopamine - the neurotransmitter associated with motivation and reward. This surge of dopamine forms essentially a virtuous cycle of efficiency and zeal, which coupled together reinforce self-efficacy and ultimately boosts our confidence, making us more likely to set further more ambitious goals and work persistently to achieve them!

There is no doubt that we as humans tend to associate positive emotions with achievement. A positive attitude often goes hand in hand with experiencing these positive emotions. You may even go as far as to gaslight yourself into thinking everything is okay, but this is the one exception that’s rather beneficial for your health! Researchers have found that those who maintain a more positive outlook on life tend to experience a wide range of positive emotions, such as happiness, gratitude, and contentment, more frequently. Certainly, one may argue that it is easier said than done to develop a positive attitude, but it takes some conscious redirection and forceful control over your thoughts until it eventually becomes the back of your hand to envision your environment with positivity. The field of positive psychology has repeatedly proven that positive emotions have a profound effect on cognitive functioning and problem-solving abilities. They broaden your perspective and enhance creativity, enabling you to develop innovative solutions and unhesitantly put yourself out there by seizing the opportunities that lead to your achievements.

Yet again, somewhat inevitably, we arrive at the concept of a Growth Mindset as popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck. For those of you who haven’t read the past few Ingenious posts - a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are not set in stone but instead, can be developed through effort and learning. Individuals with a positive attitude are more likely to embrace this growth mindset to which resiliently approaching life’s challenges is an intrinsic component. Neuroimaging studies have provided extremely valuable insight into how the brain responds to a growth mindset. When people with a growth mindset are made to encounter challenges, their brains show increased activity in areas associated with learning and problem-solving. Ultimately, this neurological response enables a certain ease of their adaptability and growth, contributing to their achievements.

A positive attitude can also influence your neurological response to stress - one of the most significant obstacles to achievement -, where individuals with a positive attitude tend to handle it more effectively. Studies have shown that this outlook can reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol, which not only enhances your overall wellbeing but also helps to reinforce optimal cognitive functioning, which is crucial for achieving one’s goals.

Clearly, the link between attitude and achievement is far from coincidental with it’s deep roots in science. Your attitude is the product of your beliefs, behaviors, and even the physical structure of your brain. By cultivating a uniquely motivating attitude, you can harness the psychological and neurological mechanisms that drive motivation, resilience, and creativity - the cornerstones of success. Understanding this science behind attitude and achievement empowers you to seize control of your mindset and thus optimize your path to success. It’s not just about “thinking positively”, it’s about utilizing your brain’s potential to its fullest. So, as you embark on your journey towards your various aspirations, know that your attitude is a powerful ally in such achievement.