Positive attitude - I think everyone can benefit from striving to have a more positive attitude. I know I tend to let little things affect me in big ways, and this leads me being a "Debbie downer." I have also struggled with self-image issues which is the first step to a positive attitude. My self-confidence used to be extremely low, and that's the main reason I put off taking the CPA exam for so long. I thought there was no way I could pass. I finally decided to attempt it, and surprised myself by passing all 4 parts on the first try. This has done wonders for my self-confidence, and I expect this translate into an improved attitude when I return to work in a few months.
Professional look - I have always dressed for comfort and not for style. This tends to be a problem in the business world because comfort and professional dress do not go hand-in-hand. My outfit of choice outside of work is typically jeans and a sweatshirt. When choosing outfits for work, I try to get by with what the employer's minimally acceptable standard is for dress. This results in me sometimes looking sloppy and being underdressed compared to colleagues. I need to learn to embrace professional dress as something that can help others have a favorable impression of me.
Productive use of work time - I'm a talker and feel like socializing is a great way to bond with colleagues. However, I tend to do too much of this when I'm "on the clock." What starts out as a 5 minute chat at the coffee pot can easily turn into an hour long conversation. I need to be more cognizant of the productive use of my time while at work, and save the socializing for either lunch or after work hours.
