I have a firm belief that having a particular mindset will allow someone to determine his/her future. Everyone has heard the cliché sayings such as “believing you can is half the battle,” and there is a fair amount of legitimacy to those types of statements. With a great attitude, you can accomplish anything. With a poor attitude, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

I despise bad attitudes. I definitely have my hypocritical moments when I’m not having the best day, but my biggest pet peeve is when people constantly bring themselves and others down. I am not the type of person who will help throw you a pity party. I’m a blunt realist, and I often tell those who insist they can’t accomplish something, in particular, one simple phrase: “Not with that attitude.”

In my first article for Odyssey, I discussed the concept of plotting against yourself to change your life for the better, and a huge part of that concept is having a shift in attitude and perspective. This last summer, I took my initiative to have a change in perspective and my outlook on life has never been better. There are times I am hesitant if I made the right decisions, but I remind myself that I can and will accomplish everything I put 110% into.

You are the only obstacle holding yourself back. Each of us has so much to accomplish, and the time is now to make that change. It is only human to doubt, to second guess, and to lose faith in ourselves. However, it is also very human to take a risk, exert confidence you don’t really have, and to make mistakes. You may be hesitant to take that next step in your career, love life, or whatever impulse decision is coming your way, but we are young and can afford to make mistakes. What we can’t afford is to miss out on opportunities.

The odds are that if you have a reason to complain, you also have a reason to appreciate a blessing. If you walk through any high school, workplace, or college campus there is a great chance you will hear someone whining about all they have to do within the next twenty-four hours. Don’t be that person. Instead, be the person who is grateful for all the opportunities they have.

At Western Illinois University, I tend to take large credit hour loads, this semester being twenty-one credits while working a part-time job in addition to three other jobs of less commitment. I also actively participate in several organizations on campus, my church, and my fraternity. I am by no means complaining about this. My life is really great, and the only thing I would consider changing is my four-hour-a-night sleep schedule.

I am not bringing up this point to show that you can have it worse because everyone handles their struggles differently and it doesn’t make them any less (or more) hardworking or knowledgeable. I mention my workload because I am able to accomplish all this with a 3.9-grade point average, a small sense of sanity, and a great attitude. (I will probably take back my comment about having a sense of sanity around midterms). If I let myself have the mindset that I cannot accomplish everything I set out to do, I am only welcoming a sense of failure, and you will too if you let your great attitude slip.

You can accomplish anything. If you have a great attitude, you will. I promise.