The one great thing about taking some time off is it allows you to really sit back and see what is going on. The other really great thing is that you can react to what is going on as well. I decided that August/September would be down months where it comes to writing. Yes, I wrote a little here and a little there; and those of you who received your articles and your ghost writing - well I hope it all works out well for you. 
But for the most part I took off the better part of 8 weeks and relaxed the mind from the rigors of writing. I spent much more of my time trying to learn and understand all the nuances of the social media networks that have engulfed our internet-world and then a considerable effort was placed behind the development of that social network as it applies to personal mental attitude and leverage within the world of the internet. I can tell you that just as you think you may have really figured out how that sneaky world of social media works, someone gets banned or gets a rug pulled out from under you. Sometimes its as simple as an adjustment to an algorithm or worse a shift in power within the leadership of one of those sites we are all trying to learn and let’s admit it folks manipulate to help us as much as possible. One of the things I keep running into is the almost “holier than thou” attitude that many of these sites give off. I am wondering when the day will come when they figure it out. The reason people (well most people) put in massive amounts of time and effort into one of those social sites (you know who you all are) is that they expect an eventual windfall. Possibly an increase in page rank, or a huge influx of traffic, but be sure folks, those who are working hard, have a goal in mind and are working towards it with every digg, stumble, mixx, etc.
These sites have to realize that just as easily as it is for them to “shut off the flow” of traffic to a site, it is equally as easy to lose massive amounts of your current population. There are some out there in the world of the internet who have it figured out. They rely on our traffic to build them up, but they realize that they must work to build you up as well, once this reciprocity is gone, odds are so is a good portion of the active user base. Blog catalog comes to mind. Initially it was a great place to drive traffic to a site, then with a few changes and an revamp to the front page - the flow of traffic disappeared literally overnight, and based on Alexa, so did a ton of their traffic and users. But you know what else you can learn while you take some time off and step back to watch what is going on around you? You realize that in order to make everything you want come true you need to redouble the efforts. Go with the flow, always take the high road and just keep on truckin! Keep those good friends you have made along the way at your side, because they want to be there and you want them there. And with all of that in mind - how about a little Positive attitude push for the week.
Having and maintaining a positive mental attitude should be first on your daily list of items to accomplish. I am betting that you are sure to hit the bathroom and brush your teeth every morning. You are cleaning and showering and getting ready for the day ahead. So as part of those plans, you sharpening that focus on what your attitude for the day is going to be like is just as important. It’s more important than taking out the garbage, its more important than paying your bills, than turning on the news or even washing the dog. Does this make me sound a bit nuts? Does this sound like I am being unreasonable?
Well then how about this. Without a Positive Mental Attitude and a positive physical attitude the items on your to-do list won’t matter anyway. Unless you have your mind focused on the fact that you are going to be a success, you’re just not going to be one. You must work on a plan and put it into motion, unless you are going to muster up all the courage and faith and focus in yourself, then nothing is going to happen for you anyway. All the talk about Secrets has really screwed people up. Yes, I agree you need a positive attitude, and you need to see what it is you want. But I vehemently disagree with those who would have you believe that you can simply wish for it to happen. That you can send out the vibes from you mind into the “ether” and in return you will find riches, a gorgeous wife, a new car or even a parking spot, damn ridiculous. If you do not work for it and the big one here is give equal value back for what it is you are trying to attain, you’re getting nothing. Wake up folks, the world owes you nothing, you owe it. Give and give from your heart, and then what you take it will be worth all the more. There is nothing wrong and everything right with setting your mind on a course of positive action. It’s the expectation that makes the event extra-special, not only the event itself. As you paint your world the way you desire it, you will be striding into the future one positive thought at a time. And one positive thought gets you a positive thought back and so on and so on and so on, until your world is filled will positive.
Here is a top ten list for ways to start you day in a positive manner and how to get a head start on your positive life:
What are you using to jump start your day, I’d love to hear from you!
Ben
; ?>)
September 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
[...] then it all makes sense-well today’s the day BABAY I started my day off with a great read at Benny’s Ya’titude and it was all about what I’m telling you now. What comes around goes around - with an [...]
September 26th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Excellent post!!! I try to do most of these daily. I definitely will be adding #9. This is a great list and very sound words of wisdom.
September 26th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Thanks Donna - I am big fan of #9! Glad you stopped on by!
September 26th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Damn good list Benny - glad to have you back!
September 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Lists not bad - but it is good to be back!
Missed Ya’ll
September 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Benny, hanging aroung people who make me laugh is the thing I have been doing, and has greatly improved my perspective. I try to start my day by connecting with them. It sets the tone for my positive ya-attitude.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Nail on the head Joe! Gotta have humor in your life! Have to have that smile-inducer!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Wow with all the crap on the news it is refreshing to see Benny G back with the writing:)
Well, like the economy I guess we all saw a revaluation of some well known sites and like the economy it all boils down to the people that don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves and are now getting exposed and rightly so.
I tried countless times to help Blogcatalog writing, promoting and they didn’t give a damn or appreciated anything.
I’d like to live in a world filled with Benny’s By reading a lot of positive stuff like this blog and taking a breathe I realized that I don’t have to help anyone fail and sometimes you just have to step aside and let them walk off the plank themselves.
It’s so easy to be nice and help people most times it takes 1-2 minutes. I don’t know I hope when all the smoke clears people realize that it’s NOT about money and just YOU.
That will be one good thing that comes from all this.
PS I “figured it” out and any of your readers are more then welcome to “figured it ” also
Thanks hope all fair well through this storm may God have some mercy on America
I feel the Ya-ttitude and it’s making things happen instead of ME trying to make them happening a lot easier this way
Thanks so much for your guidance and friendship along the way.
Hope come we couldn’t learn all this by 23?
Have a great day everyone and do something for SOMEONE.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:26 am
John
- As Usual - Your words - In Your way - Incredible…
Thanks for the love man!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Awesome list! Your 1 is missing from your #10
I was utilizing #5 BTW. 
September 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Shiley - I mean Shirley - Now that gave me a chuckle - and all chuckles are great!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Very great post. The top 10 list made this an awesome read. It seems great research went into this post. I stumbled and reviewed it for you.
Tony
September 26th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Thanks for the support Tony!
September 26th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I experience the host/parasite mentality of a social media animal here and there as well. When I slowed down long enough to read the entrails, I realized what you observed, it is a simbiotic relationship. If either side abuse the other, neither wins. The animal which is able to adapt will prosper. Cheers.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Rob - You just have this way with words… Did you really say entrails?
Thanks Professor!
September 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Wonderful post! A positive attitude is important but I love how you emphasize making a list and putting in effort towards that attitude. And yes, laughter is so important.
September 26th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Mish - Having a list is important - so you have something to go back on and check your progress - You need to know where you are going if you want to get there!
September 26th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I have noticed which article topics I submit to various social sites work on each. Because of my interests as well as my own articles, Digg for example isn’t helpful to me and I am sent few that I’m interested in from friends. I think it can help alleviate some stress and maybe some of the dog eat dog competitiveness if people manage to gauge what sites their articles will work the best on. Just my two cents.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Lea - You may be right and you may be wrong - Ya-ttitudes are-a-changin’ Mainly because I want them to be more positive. So lets see what happens…
Peek here:
http://digg.com/educational/Love_and_Relationships_4
Ben
September 26th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I read this first thing in the morning and what a great way to start off a day! Very inspiring and thinking back to the positive manner list kept me smiling all day.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Kelly - I am glad I was able to add some smiles to your day. Being able to smile and being able to make another smile - is a great way to spend a day - or two - or three.
Ben
September 27th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Inspiring and motivating! Do yourself a favor and don’t just digg it, read it.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Very inspirational Benny. I love the list. The only problem I see is that if I linger in bed til I wake up I’ll be there until about noon! :O - especially now. My body already knows it’s time for the time change next month.
Giving without wanting nothing in return…. That’s the only way to live. Thanks for the reminder.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
As has been pointed out… an inspirational and motivational list…but then I would expect nothing less from you!
Everything on your list is so very important in our daily lives…they will work wonders… if… we work at it ourselves.
Cheers