The law of attraction simply stated is “like attracts like.”  This often doesn’t sit well with us when we’re attracting things we don’t want into our experience.  The key concept to remember is that we always have a choice, day after day, hour after hour, minute upon minute, to make the better choice.

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt

What a brilliant woman Mrs. Roosevelt was!  Obviously, she knew “The Secret.”

To me, making those correct choices in every moment, the choices that truly reflect our values, can best be described as being a “class act.”  I’m sure you know someone who has the characteristics that I’m talking about, but have you ever stopped to evaluate those individual qualities, or try to acquire them?  Here are the traits that I’ve noticed make someone “a class act.”

1. High standards set for themselves and others. Sam Walton said, “High expectations are the key to everything.”  I don’t know the exact context in which Mr. Walton expressed that idea, but from what I have read, he was definitely a class act.  High standards are set and met by only the elite, making you a class act by default.  So determine your values, set high standards, and have great expectations.
2. Never react “in kind.” When someone speaks negatively about you or even tells lies about you, refuse to get dragged down into the muck with them.  Yes, that means you don’t respond and you don’t get a chance to take up for yourself.  But what I’ve found is that how you react in a situation reflects on you, not the person or situation you’re reacting to.  I know this is easier said that done, so if it helps any, resolve that you will at least give yourself 24 hours to think about the situation before responding to anything negative.  I had this situation recently and that 24 hours helped me to decide to give it another 24 hours, and after that, I had my answer.  My response would have been much different if I hadn’t at first decided to just give it a day.
3. Always cool. “Never let them see you sweat,” is an old adage that has served me well through the years.  One of the reasons I was often chosen for “choice,” high-level training projects for my previous employer was because of my ability to look calm in any situation.  Now, on the inside, I might have been freaking out, but my exterior displayed an attitude of, “no big deal, I can handle this.”
4. Treat yourself well. We really do teach others how to treat us.  Jack Canfield relates a story on page 368 of his book, The Success Principles, of how his friend, Martin Rutte has taught Jack how to treat him by first treating himself well.  Mr. Rutte “dresses well, eats well, and conducts himself at all times with refinement and style.”   Jack goes on to state, “If you’re sloppy, always late, and don’t care how you conduct yourself, you’re going to be met with people who treat you in a sloppy, always-late, don’t-care manner.”  Like attracts like.  Enough said.
5. Stand up, (or remain seated), for what is right. While a class act does not respond in kind, one doesn’t back down, either, even in the face of adversity.  I’m reminded here of Rosa Parks.  Cool and calm, but steadfast.  Definitely a class act.
6. Be happy with yourself. I used to suffer from approval addiction.  I used to want everyone to like me no matter what.  If someone challenged me, I’d back down in a heartbeat.  Then I’d beat myself up for not having the nerve to stand up for what I believed in, which meant I didn’t think much of my own values and, well, you can see the pattern here, can’t you?  Finally, I learned that by being good to  myself, writing what I feel inspired to write, saying what I feel inspired to say, and doing what I feel inspired to do, is being true to myself and that’s the best way I can help others.  It is not important that everyone always agree with me, but it is important that I agree with my inner being, my true self.

How do you know whether or not you are a class act?  Take a look at your environment.  Is it a class act?  Does it reflect your values?  Does your workspace say, “class act?”

Also take notice of your emotions.  When do you feel happy, joyous, and inspired?  What are you doing when you feel that way?  What surrounds you?  Increase those actions and surroundings so you can feel that way more often.  This will not be difficult once you focus upon it because, after all, like attracts like.

Lastly, take a close look at your friends, colleagues, partners, clients, contacts, etc.  Are they class acts?  Your entire environment is a mirror reflecting your current status back to you.  The good news is, you can re-create yourself starting this very moment by improving the quality of your attitude, and changing your behaviors for the better.   Remember, “The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

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Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation