In a recent study, undergraduate student “leaders” had to pick who they wanted to work with in an exercise. Their choices were based both on results from a mental-ability test and a questionnaire measuring positive and negative feelings and emotions.
The results: the leaders favoured good vibes over big brains
Attitudes, especially negative ones, are often revealed through facial expressions and body language
First impressions are part of the way managers find the right employee for the job and for assignments
Positive people get more choice assignments and more flexibility in their work
Impressions are formed quickly and this process starts on the first day
It’s hard to change negative impressions of you once they are formed
Improving your attitude requires assessing your verbal and nonverbal communication style and then making the changes to present yourself the way your new life requires you to be.

Attitude

What impresses a boss more: attitude or ability?

Attitude – especially a negative one — can be the determining factor in your relationship with an employer.
Research reveals supervisors are able to pick up on negative traits such as anger, hostility, or instability early in the relationship. These traits can destroy a working relationship almost before it begins.
Even if an employee has considerable ability, a negative attitude will stick in the employers mind. Once that first impression is formed, it’s hard to change.
Negative personality traits make a more powerful and long-lasting impression than positive ones
Even the most gifted employees are unlikely to succeed if they are perceived as angry, irritable, or depressed.

Deal with Debt

It is common for people to be in debt. Borrowing for cars, homes and personal goods is expected. Normally debt is incurred through borrowing from
Banks
Credit cards
Finance Companies
Family or friends

What to do

Make a list of everyone to whom you owe money with amounts and interest being charged
Make a list of your assets; home, vehicles etc
If the debt plus interest exceeds your monthly income
Discuss your debt problem with your bank and ask for their assistance
Consider a lower interest rate debt consolidation loan from your bank
Seek help from debt counselors (many governments offer this service)
Decide who to pay first

Renegotiate payment agreements with banks or finance companies to lower interest rates or spread payment over a longer time
Borrow money at lower interest to pay off high rate credit cards
Reduce the number of credit cards in your possession to none or one
Borrow money from trusted non-using family members to pay off debts
Sell property to pay debts

Who do you owe money to? Is this a cause of increased stress to you?

Completions-Personal Property

Why do other people have your personal possessions?
Were they:

Used as collateral to buy drugs?
Given as a token of affection?
Loaned to a friend in need and not returned?

What is their value to you?
Are they:

Irreplaceable family heirlooms?
Personal keepsakes you would like returned?
A vehicle registered to you but driven by another person?

Make a Decision

Decide what is important to you and what risk or effort will be required to get your goods returned.
Will you need to be in contact with people who still are using?
Are your possessions really necessary in your new life? Can you let them go?

Can someone act as an intermediary for you to get them returned so you do not risk contact with people still using?
If you have lent a vehicle, do you trust the person to pay fines, insurance etc. and not increase the cost and liability to you. Most likely not. This is a high risk situation you should clear up immediately.
Have the vehicle returned, and if this is not possible seek legal advice about what to do next.

You can influence what people think of you

Through showing your commitment to a new life by:

Completing your drug rehab program as if your life does depend on it.

Doing the homework as fully and completely as possible,

Being honest with yourself and others and asking for help when needed.

Sharing your work in drug or alcohol rehab with the people who support you including lawyers, probation officers, and judges.

Completions

Often some things are left incomplete because
The addiction was more important than anything else
They did not matter; we had more important things to do
It would cost money we need for other things
It would take too much effort and we don’t care about completing them

You have decided to commit yourself to a life of lower stress and abstinence. To lessen the chance of relapse clear up items you have left hanging

When You Don’t Have A Lawyer But Need One

If you did not have a lawyer but decide you need one you should consider.

What money you have to cover legal costs; lawyers can be expensive.

If you are eligible for legal aid in your province or state; most states and provinces have websites to help with this.

Ask for help from a concilor at your drug rehab to help you if you don’t know how to get this information.

What you need them for; make sure you hire a lawyer who understands the law that affects your situation.

Before your first meeting with the lawyer:

Ask them about the costs for their services
Write out the details of your legal matter, setting out the facts in chronological order
Prepare a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of the people involved
Make sure you take all relevant documents with you
Ask them if your expectations are reasonable. Talk to the lawyer about their legal opinion. What are your options and alternatives
Agree on your plans and priorities and on the outcome you are looking for. Tell your whole story, even if it is damaging or embarrassing - your lawyer needs to consider all options
Remember, what you tell your lawyer for the purpose of obtaining legal advice is confidential and your lawyer is not allowed to disclose what you say without your consent

What Are Your Problems With The Courts?

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Non-payment of fines or debts

Charges of violence

Divorce or child custody matters including alimony or maintenance payments

Child welfare matters

You and Your Lawyer

That communication between you and your lawyer is privileged and cannot be disclosed without your consent.
They must hold in confidence all information concerning your affairs they acquired during the course of your professional relationship.
That they should advise you on what legal action to take but should follow your instructions as long as these are reasonable and legal.
While you are at a drug or alcohol rehab center you should remain in close contact with your lawyer. As you learn and gain new insights you and your lawyer may decide on a new legal course to take which may work more effectively.

Things in the Past

Sooner or later everyone comes into contact with “the law”, whether for a parking ticket, a divorce or a serious crime involving possible time in jail.
Some of the laws you may have violated were “laws of the jungle” include debts or other problems with dealers or friends.
Now that you have decided to stop using, you can decide what to do about the entanglements that existed prior to coming to a drug or alcohol rehab center.

Is This Too Big To Handle?

Some of the problems you are faced with may be too big for you to manage alone.
You may need extra money, legal advice or emotional support .
You may not trust your lawyers advice; you may want to hire new one.
If you don’t have a lawyer you will have to hire one.
You may need to investigate “legal aid” if money is a problem.
If you owe debts you will have to decide what to do about them .