In my 35 years in the mortgage business, I have been promoted many times. More importantly, I have had the honor of promoting hundreds of talented individuals over the years, changing their lives for the better. It is the most rewarding event in business—getting promoted, being recognized by your peers for your hard work and earning more money!

So, what is the secret sauce that helps people climb that ladder toward success? Is it aggressiveness? Sometimes. Putting in the most hours? Not necessarily. Being commanding and demanding? Definitely not. A “can do” positive attitude is the answer. Get positive, dude!

What is a “can do” attitude? Here are the top 10 traits:

1. Be a problem solver, not a complainer. Look for the solution and present it.
2. Be friendly! Have a smile in your voice on the phone and be ready with a smile in the halls.
3. Say the right thing but find the positive lining, even under difficult and stressful circumstances.
4. Be a duck on water—appear to be calm, but work like a mad man beneath the surface.
5. Leave your personal issues at home—we all have them.
6. Learn your trade! Strive for protection and be a trusted advisor in your field.
7. Maintain a sense of urgency. Speed is the name of the game. Take the ball and run, don’t walk.
8. Maintain your composure and professionalism. Never be short, mean or rude with colleagues or clients.
9. Losing that loving feeling and ready to kick someone’s butt? Take your issues to upper management.
10. Answer your phone.

Want to build a great team? A “can do” attitude can start with you. If your co-workers are happy and feel appreciated, they will be motivated to help the company thrive. I have found that it’s important to stress the following in any office environment:

-Commit to a positive attitude

-Commit to teamwork

-Commit to closing loans faster

-Commit to exceptional customer service

Do you have a positive attitude? It is not something that is taught in school or learned in a seminar. It comes from a personal desire to be exceptional and to strive for success in all you do. It must come from within. Can you start your day with a sense of urgency and end it with a sense of accomplishment? Can you be exceptional today? Look at yourself in the mirror each day and say, “Absolutely, I can do that!”