Their energy lifts people. You feel stronger, more motivated, more at ease just being around them. And then, on the other side, there are those who bring a dark cloud. Negativity, cynicism, constant complaints — you feel drained the moment they arrive.

That difference? It’s not luck, money, or talent. It’s attitude.

At Amokura Coaching, we often say: change your attitude, change your altitude. Because how you show up today shapes how far you’ll go tomorrow.

What Does Attitude Really Mean?

Attitude isn’t just a smile plastered on your face. It’s how you show up — your mindset, your energy, your effort.

• A good attitude says: I’m ready to learn, to grow, to give things a go.

• A bad attitude says: I already know it all, and it’s not worth trying.

One lifts. One drags.

When I asked my teenage boys what attitude meant to them, their answers were simple but powerful: how you carry yourself, how people feel when you’re around, whether you bring encouragement or discouragement. Out of the mouths of rangatahi (youth) — it’s about mana (strength and presence).

Attitude = How You Show Up

Think of attitude as your personal energy field. It’s contagious. If you show up with positivity, grit, and openness, people feel it. Opportunities follow.

Show up closed off, negative, or half-hearted? Doors close, progress stalls, and growth feels out of reach.

Your attitude is the lens through which you see challenges:

• Is it a wall? Or a stepping stone?

• Is it a dead end? Or a chance to pivot?

Altitude = How Far You’ll Go

Altitude is about growth, success, and opportunity. It’s the measure of how high you can climb in life, work, and health.

Here’s the connection:

• A poor attitude limits your altitude. You get stuck in self-doubt, excuses, and fear.

• A strong attitude expands your altitude. You spot possibilities, take chances, and keep moving forward.

Just like a plane can’t climb without lift, you can’t rise without the right mindset.

The Ripple Effect of Attitude

Your attitude doesn’t just affect you. It affects your whānau (family), your team, your community.

• Walk into your home with frustration and everyone feels it.

• Walk in with gratitude and energy, and you change the atmosphere instantly.

Energy is transferable. Your kids, your colleagues, your friends — they’ll rise or fall depending on what you bring to the table.

How to Lift Your Attitude (and Altitude)

Changing your altitude starts with small, intentional shifts in attitude:

1. Check Your Self-Talk
   – What you say to yourself, you start to believe. Shift from “I can’t” to “I’ll give it a go.”
   
   
2. Bring Energy, Not Excuses
   – Even on tough days, bring your best effort. Effort is free. Excuses cost you growth.
   
   
3. Surround Yourself With Uplift
   – The people around you either fuel or drain you. Choose wisely.
   
   
4. Celebrate Small Wins
   – Each win builds momentum. Momentum builds altitude.
   
   
5. Reflect Daily
   – Ask yourself: did I lift others today, or drag them down?

Final Thought

Attitude is your compass. It sets your direction long before skill, luck, or opportunity ever show up.

So — how are you showing up today? Are you dragging or lifting? Stalling or climbing?

At Amokura Coaching, we believe everyone has the potential to rise higher. The difference isn’t in the circumstances you face — it’s in the attitude you bring.

Change your attitude, and you change your altitude.