Though I hate to admit it, I failed the computer class I took in college. It would seem the only thing I gained from that particular class was a major hatred for computers, and yet, today I would say I have successfully learned to use a computer. In fact, I actually love computers so much that I could not imagine my life without one.

It is also a fact that I have experienced failure in business, having once started a business that did not go at all as I had anticipated. Today I own and manage three businesses and would consider myself a successful business man.

I know I have failed many times to be the husband and father I have wanted to be. In spite of letting myself and my family down at times, I am still able to say that I have successfully navigated through almost 26 years of marriage and more than 23 years of parenting.

How can it be that I have failed in so many ways, and yet dare to call myself a success? I believe the answer, at least in part, is that wherever I have failed, I have made the choice to change my attitude rather than stay stuck in the muck of my failure. I know that wallowing in failure will never bring me success. Furthermore, I believe that Success is failure, turned inside out; in other words, success comes from failure.

Only one thing can start us on the road to changing failure into success, and that is a major shift in ATTITUDE! This is not always a simple process and can be painful, but what have you got to lose?

Stop for a moment and do a check up from the neck up. Jot down your answers to these questions: What is my attitude? Do I have an attitude for success? What kind of attitude changes do I need to make now so I can achieve success? Am I willing to make the changes in attitude that success requires? What will I do to make sure I keep the right attitude?

Make the decision to not live in the muck of failure. Choose, instead to have an attitude of success! Then tell yourself often, Success is an Attitude, and I have an Attitude for Success!

2004 Professional Development Systems All Rights Reserved

Robert Prentice

Robert A. (Bob) Prentice is an entrepreneur, a motivational speaker, a corporate trainer, a business and marketing consultant, an author, and publisher, who began his career 25 years ago.On December 26, 1989, Professional Development Systems was established in Rapid City, South Dakota.

In 1998, Bob moved the business to Wessington, South Dakota, so his family could experience the benefits of living in a rural community. Since the birth of PDS, Bob has worked with literally hundreds of companies and organizations within a 15 state region, delivering highly motivational training sessions in Customer Service, Leadership, Sales, Total Quality Management, Team Building and more. Literally, thousands of people participate in Bob's training seminars each year.

A family man, Bob and Vicki, his wife of 28 years, have enjoyed the privilege of raising three children?two sons and a daughter?to adulthood. They also have an 11 year old daughter. Bob says he plays much more than he works, and when he works he goes to fun! Bob's friends call him Mr. Attitude.