Want to see if you’ve got a “can-do” attitude? Take this easy quiz to find out. Circle the number that indicates your agreement with the following statements.
Choose from a range of 1 through 5, 1 being "Strongly Disagree" to 5 being "Strongly Agree." I know my strengths. I know my weaknesses. I really like doing things that I’m good at. I’m a good team member in the office because I contribute a great deal. I really enjoy accomplishing things. When I’m at work, I make a list of what I’m going to get done each day. I try to keep up with what’s new when it comes to my job. I like learning how to do new things in the office. I make an effort to improve my skills so I can be more effective at my job. I know what my boss needs done and try to anticipate those needs. I like job reviews because I learn how others view me. I network a great deal with people who have jobs similar to mine. I like to make educated decisions. It’s easy for me to work in a constantly changing environment. I like to try new ways of doing things and often adopt new and better methods. Dr. Mark Goulston, a Los Angeles-based business psychiatrist and UCLA medical school professor, says that people who approach their jobs with a positive, “can-do” spirit are typically people who know their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. “Self-reliant people get more done because their default mode is to take initiative rather than to wait,” says Goulston, author of Get Out of Your Own Way. “They also recognize when a challenge has the potential to turn into a problem and seek help before that happens.” Ready to turn “can-do” into “done”? Here’s the good news. You can increase your “can-do” thinking by focusing on what you’ve already successfully accomplished, says Goulston. “Think of two times in your life when you were completely convinced that you would not be able to do something, but then you did. Chances are, when it happened you told yourself, ‘Next time, I’m going to stop worrying about it and just do it.’ This time, take your own advice, knowing that action leads to completion.” Goulston explains that by remembering successful actions with as many of the details as possible, you will re-experience how you went from “can’t-do” to “can-do” to “done.” “You will tap into the wiring in your brain that will help convince you that if you were successful once, you can be successful now.” The psychiatrist says if you remember and re-experience something you did well, you’ll build the confidence that leads to “can-do” behavior. |
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How "Can-Do" Are You?
- After you’ve taken the short test at left, add up the numbers to get your score. See if you’ve got the “can-do” attitude: If you scored 50 or above: You’re a person who knows how to get things done. You trust your own judgment, but you don’t shrink from hearing—or taking—others’ suggestions or constructive advice. These traits mean that you have confidence in your own abilities and that you know when you can handle a job (and just as importantly, when to ask for help!). If you scored 30 to 49: You know you have the ability to make good decisions and you like to accomplish things at work. You’ll be able to get more done once you begin to trust your own abilities. Try asking your manager for more responsibility—suggest some projects that you would like to tackle. The more you do, the more confidence you’ll have. If you scored under 30 points: Your “can-do” attitude is ready for a boost. You’ll get it by making use of resources that are available to you. You’ve already started by reading Great Results. Check out other ways to learn things that are helpful for your job—attend seminars and visit www.avery.com explore the opportunities to hone your work-related skills. Once you enhance your skills, your confidence to try new projects will zoom! And everyone around you will notice your enthusiasm. |
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