This is a “success manual” that gives readers a step by step plan for taking control of their lives and unleashing their incredible potential. The book consists of 12 Your Attitude is Your Window to the World; You’re A Human Magnet; Picture Your Way to Success; Make a Commitment and You’ll Move Mountains; Turn Your Problems into Opportunities; Your Words Blaze A Trail; How Are You?; Stop Complaining; Associate with Positive People; Confront Your Fears and Grow; Get Out There and Fail; Networking That Gets Results. The book shows how author Jeff Keller used these principles to make a career transition from lawyer to motivational speaker — and shows readers how they, too, can make positive changes in every area of their lives. This is a book that is easy to read and fun to read. It’s a timeless classic in the self-help field.
Introduction
Jeff Keller’s book, Attitude Is Everything: Change Your Attitude…and You Change Your Life!, is a powerful self-help guide that emphasizes the importance of attitude in shaping one’s success and life experiences. Drawing from his personal experiences and observations, Keller explores how attitude influences success in every aspect of life. The book is broken into three parts, with each section focusing on different aspects of attitude and its practical application in everyday life.
Part I: Success Begins in the Mind
The first part of the book, Success Begins in the Mind, lays the groundwork by discussing the pivotal role of mindset in determining success or failure. Keller emphasizes that attitude is the key determinant of whether a person will succeed or fail. He believes that the thoughts we nurture shape our reality, and having a positive mental attitude (PMA) is the first step toward success.
1. Attitude is Everything
Keller begins by telling his own story—how he transitioned from being a lawyer to becoming a motivational speaker. He attributes this dramatic change to the power of attitude, explaining that a shift in his mindset helped him move away from a career that didn’t bring him joy. Keller asserts that the beliefs we hold influence our actions and decisions, and by adopting a positive attitude, we empower ourselves to pursue opportunities that align with our true potential.
The author stresses the idea that individuals are responsible for their own attitudes. By recognizing this, a person can shift from a victim mentality to one of ownership and responsibility. Keller uses examples from his life and the lives of others to demonstrate how adopting a positive attitude can help overcome obstacles, transform challenges into opportunities, and create a pathway to success.
2. Your Thoughts Determine Your Destiny
Keller goes on to explain the direct relationship between thoughts and outcomes. He argues that our thoughts, whether positive or negative, have a profound impact on the kind of life we experience. Negative thoughts bring about negative results, while positive thinking brings positive outcomes. This is often referred to as the “Law of Attraction,” where we attract what we think about most often.
To illustrate, Keller suggests focusing on success and visualizing desired outcomes. By consistently visualizing success, individuals can retrain their minds to stay focused on solutions rather than problems, opportunities rather than challenges. Positive visualization is a key aspect of Keller’s philosophy, as it helps people stay aligned with their goals.
3. Watch Your Words
In addition to thoughts, Keller emphasizes the importance of language in shaping our reality. He points out that the words we use to describe our circumstances often reflect and reinforce our attitudes. If we use negative language, we foster negative attitudes, while using positive, constructive words fosters an optimistic outlook.
The author encourages readers to pay close attention to their self-talk. If someone is constantly telling themselves that they can’t succeed or are destined for failure, they are likely to experience that very outcome. On the contrary, by using affirming and empowering language, one can cultivate a mindset of confidence and optimism, which ultimately leads to better results in life.
Part II: Watch What You Feed Your Mind
In the second part of the book, Keller discusses how external influences—such as media, the people we associate with, and the environments we place ourselves in—affect our attitudes. By learning to control these influences, we can better control our mindset and maintain a positive attitude.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
Keller emphasizes the power of association, stating that we tend to adopt the attitudes of the people we spend the most time with. Therefore, it is critical to surround ourselves with people who are positive, encouraging, and supportive. He advises readers to limit their time with negative individuals who drain their energy or diminish their ambitions. The people around us have a strong influence on our thinking and, by extension, on our attitude.
In addition to associating with positive people, Keller suggests reading uplifting books, listening to motivational audio, and consuming media that nurtures positivity. By doing so, we consistently feed our minds with material that inspires and encourages personal growth.
5. Conquer Your Fears and Move Forward
Fear is one of the most potent obstacles to maintaining a positive attitude and achieving success. Keller explains that most fears are rooted in limiting beliefs or negative past experiences. He encourages readers to confront their fears head-on, rather than allowing them to control their lives.
The author introduces techniques for overcoming fear, such as taking small, gradual steps outside one’s comfort zone. By facing fears incrementally, people can build confidence and realize that many of their fears are unfounded. Keller emphasizes the importance of taking action despite fear, as action helps to dissipate fear and replace it with confidence and empowerment.
6. The Power of Visualization
Visualization is a recurring theme in the book, and Keller expands on its power in this section. He teaches readers how to effectively visualize their goals and dreams, explaining that vivid, detailed visualization helps bring desired outcomes into reality. Keller suggests setting aside time each day to visualize success and imagine oneself achieving personal and professional goals.
He provides several examples of successful individuals, including athletes and entrepreneurs, who have used visualization as a tool for achieving great success. By mentally rehearsing success, individuals can prepare themselves to recognize opportunities and act decisively when those opportunities arise.
Part III: Make a Commitment and You’ll Move Mountains
The final part of the book focuses on the importance of commitment, perseverance, and action. Keller underscores that success requires not only a positive attitude but also a firm commitment to achieving goals.
7. Take Action and Create Your Own Luck
Keller highlights the importance of action in turning positive thoughts into tangible results. A positive attitude alone is not enough; one must be willing to act on their goals and take consistent, persistent action. He debunks the myth that success is solely the result of luck or good fortune, explaining that “luck” is often the result of preparation meeting opportunity.
The author suggests adopting a proactive mindset, taking small, consistent steps toward achieving goals, and seizing opportunities as they arise. Success, according to Keller, is a process that requires determination, effort, and a willingness to learn from failures.
8. Commit to Lifelong Learning
Keller advocates for continuous personal development and growth. He believes that successful people are those who are committed to learning throughout their lives, both professionally and personally. Keller suggests reading books, attending seminars, and seeking out new knowledge as part of a lifelong journey toward self-improvement.
Lifelong learning not only helps individuals stay ahead in their careers, but it also keeps their minds sharp and their attitudes positive. By continually seeking new experiences and knowledge, people remain adaptable and open to opportunities for growth and success.
9. Set Goals and Keep Moving Forward
Setting goals is an essential component of success. Keller explains that goals provide direction and purpose, helping individuals stay focused on their long-term vision. He encourages readers to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals and to revisit them regularly.
The author also stresses the importance of persistence. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but a positive attitude combined with unwavering commitment allows people to push through difficulties and stay on track toward achieving their goals.
10. Choose to Be Happy
The final chapter of the book focuses on happiness as a choice. Keller believes that true happiness comes from within and is not dependent on external circumstances. By choosing to adopt a positive attitude, individuals can create happiness in their lives regardless of their external situation.
He encourages readers to practice gratitude, appreciate small victories, and focus on the positive aspects of their lives. Keller suggests that by choosing happiness and adopting a positive mindset, people not only improve their own lives but also inspire and uplift those around them.
Conclusion
Attitude Is Everything is an inspiring guide that highlights the transformative power of a positive attitude. Through personal anecdotes, motivational stories, and practical tips, Jeff Keller demonstrates how individuals can change their lives by changing their mindset. The book encourages readers to take control of their thoughts, words, and actions, empowering them to create success in both their personal and professional lives.
Keller’s message is clear: attitude is the foundation of success, and by cultivating a positive, proactive, and growth-oriented mindset, anyone can achieve their dreams. Whether it’s overcoming fear, staying committed to lifelong learning, or choosing happiness, the principles outlined in Attitude Is Everything provide a roadmap for personal development and long-term success.
