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Working on attitude

In search of a positive state of mind

Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (July 08/02) - The Hay River area just received a shot of positive attitude.

And it was aimed at improving customer service and relations among co-workers.

NNSL Photo

Carmen Johnson delivered a workshop last week on the Hay River Reserve about the benefits of a positive attitude. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo


"A positive attitude is everything," says Carmen Johnson, who delivered the message in workshops on the Hay River Reserve.

Johnson is with Initiatives for Training and Development in Grimshaw, Alta.

"Attitude is the filter through which you view the world," she explains.

Johnson says attitude can be affected by such things as a healthy lifestyle, exercise, personal hygiene, getting enough sleep and personal appearance.

"It's very much common sense, but every once in a while we need a reminder," she explains.

And she believes everyone can improve their attitudes.

"Your attitude is your own responsibility," she says. "It's entirely up to you what your attitude is."

However, she recognizes it is not easy to change. "It takes real concentration and a recognition we have to change."

Johnson was invited to present the workshops by Georgina Fabian, the coordinator of the Sharing Lodge Wellness Program.

Fabian had heard about the training when her daughter attended Fairview College, and Johnson had delivered the training to students.

Business representatives at the college's graduation talked glowingly about the training.

"They talked about the students attitude and relationships with co-workers. It was positive and very enthusiastic."

She says the course is a good way to help young people successfully enter the workforce and develop self-esteem and healthy work habits.

"In the North, I find a lot of businesses and organizations don't have a lot of faith in young people," she says, noting that not much effort goes into training.

The three dozen mostly younger workers at last week's workshops came from such organizations as the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, the Judith Fabian Group Home and Ehdah Cho Store.

Ramona Maurice and Tanner Froehlich, both youth workers at Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, took the course. Maurice says she would recommend it to anybody. As for Froehlich, he admitted he thought the course would be boring. "But it's positive."

Plus he says participants could see other organizations and businesses in the Hay River area who could benefit from a more positive attitude. "We got a list already."