Wayne Cordeiro - Attitudes That Attract Success

2001 Wayne Cordeiro

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Bethany House Publishers edition published 2014

ISBN 978-1-4412-6610-1

Previously published by Regal Books

Revised edition. Originally published in 1999 as Developing an Attitude That Attracts Success, 1999, New Hope Resources.

Ebook edition originally created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Other versions used are:

THE MESSAGEScripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

NIVScripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

NKJVScripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NLTScripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

TLBScripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Cover and Internal Design by Robert Williams
Revised edition edited by David Webb

Rarely have I seen anything that can be so powerful as a persons attitude. And rarely have I seen anything that can be so devastating.

For some, their attitude finds opportunity in every difficulty; others find difficulty in every opportunity. Some climb obstacles with a positive attitude, while others fall because of a negative outlook. Your attitude will either attract success or repel it.

Which of these tendencies describes you?

Before you answer that question, let me give you some good news: You can choose which it will be!

How is this possible? Because attitude is a choice. It is not a feeling, nor is it the result of an event or circumstances, good or bad. We are all individually responsible to build our view of life. The Bible says, Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7). Our attitude toward life and our subsequent actions help determine what will happen to us. Our future looks bright when the attitude is right, and it makes the present much more enjoyable, too!

More than any other factor, the condition of your attitude will determine

the quality of your relationships with other people;

whether you can turn a problem into a blessing;

whether you become a victim of defeat or a student of success.

The simple fact that attitude makes some while breaking others is a significant enough reason for us to explore how it works and how it is cultivated. The attitude we develop will cause us to see life either as a series of opportunities or in terms of our probabilities for failure. How a person defines lifes events will do more than anything else to determine his or her potential for success in life. How true it is that you are one attitude away from a bright future!

But let me give to you, the reader, one important piece of advice. This is a book to be applied. You dont have to be gifted or exceptionally bright to employ these truths in your life, but you must be willing!

Before the following words can be transferred from ink on paper into permanent life change, you have to be convinced that a great attitude is one of the most important characteristics you can develop this year and every year! If you will approach this book in that way, the process of permanent change will be a joyful journey filled with adventure. It will change not only you but also every person with whom you come in contact.

Join me for the adventure.

John C. Maxwell
Founder, The INJOY Group

I have had so many mentors over the years for whom I am eternally gratefulscores of people who have incredible spirits and attitudes of excellence. When observing these precious people, I would often find myself whispering, Oh, God, make me like that, too.

My earliest memories are of my mother, who loved unreservedly. She stood only 411, but she will always be a giant in my heart. A single mom, she would constantly bolster my spirit with fresh hope through her songs and her encouragement.

Thank-you to my wife, Anna, with whom I have chosen to share my life. She has been a stable pillar of support, full of compassion and a gracious spirit. Anna, you have taught me so much simply by being the person God made you to be.

Carol Ann Shima, you are the best encourager I have ever met. You always make people stand taller and walk more confidently after having been in your presence. Dan Shima, you are a solid fortress on the outside and a gracious servant and friend on the inside. I will always be grateful for the two of you.

Thank you to the many people who have modeled to me the heart of God.

I hesitate to begin thanking all those who have influenced me through the years, because it would fill far too many pagesand I fear I might still exclude more than I would remember. Allow me at least to say thank you to the wonderful people at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Every single one of you has touched my life, leaving an indelible mark of the Saviors fingerprints behind.

This book is for leaders, businesspeople, homemakers and young people. No matter what your background is or what your occupation may be, the principles of this book can transform your life and relationships. The only prerequisite is that you be an avid student of life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, The future belongs to those who prepare for it. This book will help you to do just that.

In my time as a pastor and leader, I have watched people, studied them and observed what makes one successful and another not. I have seen talented, educated and skilled people fail. On the other hand, I have witnessed the success of those who possess very little talent, education or skill.

Many people are not that far from a life of joy and success. Just a few adjustments and life would come in loud and clear for them! Like a radio thats not tuned quite right, the music can be heard but its full of static and fades in and out. A small turn of the dial would recalibrate the frequency by just a few hertz. Then, all of a sudden, voila! The scratchy signal is transformed into a stereophonic symphony of sound!

Your attitude is where that small adjustment must be made. Attitude can mean the difference between success and failure. Someone once said the difference between people is very small, but that very small difference is very big indeed!