November 25, 2020

Attitude: It Influences Everything
Michael O’Brien
Aviva Publishing (2020)
ISBN: 978-1-944335-60-1

New Book Explores How to Improve Your Life by Improving Your Attitude

Michael O’Brien’s Attitude: It Influences Everything is a concise and practical exploration of how readers can improve their attitudes through easy steps. Using the acronym of The A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E. C.O.D.E., Michael walks readers through all the different aspects of having a positive attitude and the benefits that can be reaped from that mindset.

Michael begins by discussing how he has always been intrigued by people who are nice and a pleasure to be around. He believes it all boils down to one thing: attitude. Consequently, improving our attitude is of supreme importance if we want to be happy, prosper in the world, and develop meaningful relationships.

In the introduction, Michael lays out the advantages of working on our attitudes. He states: “An improved attitude leads to being an improved student, as well as an improved teacher. An improved attitude leads to an improved employee and an effective boss.”

Michael then walks readers through twelve short chapters, each of which focuses on a different letter of the book’s acronym. Each chapter can be read in about five minutes, and it not only discusses that chapter’s topic, but it provides a simple exercise to help the reader persevere in improving their attitude.

At the book’s conclusion, Michael includes a nifty paragraph that sums up the entire book by using all the key words that make up the book’s acronym:

Here is a nugget Michael says about these various important topics. In the discussion of A is for Approach, he states: “Approach all things with excitement and a belief that good things are in the works.”

I can’t discuss all the topics related to the book’s acronym here, but I will say that Michael not only provides good and practical advice, but he does an excellent job of illustrating his points with short and engaging stories. Trust me, you will never forget the Chinese restaurant owner, whom Michael uses to illustrate Thankfulness. The people in the stories people will remain with you and provide examples to model yourself after.

Finally, and most importantly, Michael is straightforward in his advice. Without reservation, he tells the reader, “You can change. A poor attitude does not have to be who you are; it is just what you choose.” Perhaps my favorite part of the whole book is the section on Enthusiasm. And perhaps my favorite line in the whole book is when he tells us, “Be the enthusiast the world needs.”

I truly believe that reading Attitude: It Influences Everything will not only change your attitude but change your life. Plus, it is short enough that you can read it in an hour. Once you finish reading the entire book, go back and reread it so that over time the message sinks into your being and you begin to see not only your attitude improve, but your life.

For more information about Michael O’Brien and Attitude: It Influences Everything, visit www.michaelobrienspeaks.mykajabi.com.

— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and award-winning author of Narrow Lives and The Best Place