We have so many thoughts that go through our heads throughout the day. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Research states that people tend to think more negatively than positively. Learn how your thinking influences your attitudes and outcomes.
What Positive Thinkers Do that Negative Thinkers Do Not
“you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” Stephen King
People often refer to positive thinkers as the people who wear “rose-coloured glasses” or as people who see a glass as “half-full” versus half-empty. Positive thinkers do have a different approach to life than negative thinkers.
Yes, bad things happen in life.
Positive thinkers are not ignoring life circumstances. They do attempt to explore, learn and understand the life events.
Positive thinkers are:
Open to Change and Opportunity. They are open and willing to trying new things, developing new skills, and gaining new knowledge. They look for the possibilities in new situations or in times of uncertainty. Negative thinkers shut down opportunities out of fear. They are not willing to learn and grow. They are often happy with the status quo even if they do complain about it. They do not want to change.
Better Decision Makers. Positive thinkers look for the strengths, opportunities, and best possible outcomes and strive to meet the outcomes they desire. They are open to trying new things and do not close themselves off from opportunities as negative thinkers do.
Solution-focused. Positive thinkers do not dwell on problems but rather focus on positive solutions. They have the ability to see look at the big picture and brainstorm ways to overcome any challenges that may arise. Negative thinkers focus only on the problem and see change as impossible.
More Resilient. They do not unravel easily. They are in tune with their emotions and see setbacks as a chance to stop, breathe, and re-focus – a set up for success. Negative thinkers see situations as permanent and get stressed out. They tend to over-react to situations and do not see the impact of their outbursts or behavior on others.
Resourceful. When they do not know an answer to a question, they will seek out the information or refer to someone who does have this information. They often have a “quitting is not an option” attitude. Negative thinkers are not willing to look for new ways of doing things because they think everything is going to fail anyway or they say “what’s the point?”
Grateful. Positive thinkers enjoy the little things life has to offer. They look for and are grateful for the positive things in their life. Things as simple as being able to: take a breath, for there are others in the world struggling to breathe; hear the sound of music, for there are many who cannot enjoy someone singing off key; or to smell the aroma of mom’s baked apple pie from the kitchen, for there are others who cannot smell. Negative thinkers complain and blame others for their life circumstances.
Positive thinkers also energize relationships and social interactions. You cannot help but want to be around them. They make you feel good about yourself and life in general. In the workplace, these are people you want on your team. These are people who get things done. They are productive and they are high performers. Negative thinkers are just the opposite.
The best thing about thinking is that you can choose to be a positive thinker or you can choose to be a negative thinker. Making the shift can make you stand out of the crowd. You can get promoted, develop stronger relationships, and be given opportunities a negative thinker would not get. Positive thinkers – DO what negative thinkers are not willing to DO.
The Mindset that Will Cost You Your Dreams
There is one mindset that can cost you your dreams if you give it space. It sneaks up on you and can infiltrate your mind if you let it. You can create it with your imagination and take it anywhere you want. It sabotages any success you may have been achieving.
Can you guess what it is?
It is the “victim” mindset.
The victim mindset develops from comparing yourself to others and feeling that you are not enough. All you see is how great their life is, but you are part of their life 100% of the time.
You look at past setbacks and see your self as a complete failure without looking for the lessons. Therefore, you may even repeat the same mistakes. Maybe you didn’t learn it for the first time so history repeated itself.
Go easy on yourself. We are so quick to criticize ourselves but my guess is that you would not be so hard on your best friend. Maybe you need to be a best friend to yourself. Be a little kinder to yourself – it may even ripple into the rest of your world.
The victim mindset can steal your joy and your happiness. It can destroy friendships.
The people who you are inspired by should not be people you compare yourself to. They are people you should aspire to be like knowing that you too can do the same. There is a proven track record to be won.
I encourage you to strive for your personal best as this is really the only race worth running or fighting for. Every person has their own lane – it can be fast or slow you choose by the choices you make.
I love to inspire others but motivation comes from within. I want to see people rise above the chaos and past hurts. I want people to raise the bar just a bit higher than last year knowing that they can do it – because they are worth it and can achieve it.
I have been there but what I have learned is that you have control over how long you stay in that place. What you focus and bring your attention to, you get more of. So have the “pity party” or the Eeyore moments and let it go! Shift gears – there is so much more for you to accomplish. The victim mindset will just slow you down. Don’t let it. A positive mindset will take you places bigger than your dreams as long as you take action and put in the effort.
Whether you are a professional, executive or entrepreneur, your mindset needs to be “game on”. You do not have the time or luxury for negative self-talk. Talk back to it and put it in its place. Learn from your lessons – that is what life is about. You are here to make an impact. You are here as Gandhi eloquently said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Why? Cause you and your dreams are worth it! You are the one and only – give your best!
Be victorious!
Go ahead and share how your shift your thinking into a positive state of mind!
Shift Your Thinking and Choose Your Attitude
Choosing your attitude during difficult times can be tough but it most important to do during these times. Watch the video to discover 4 tools you can use starting today.
Develop the Can-Do Attitude that Attracts Clients
Have you ever met someone who has a can do attitude? Have you ever asked someone to do complete a task and they said, “I can do it.”? Have you ever wished more people knew how to cultivate this attitude? The “can-do” attitude seems to be a lot rarer than we think but can accelerate your business in a big way.
Do you know any “can-doers?” in your life? We have a lot to learn from them.
Can-doers:
- enjoy helping others
- are confident
- thrive on the personal challenge of taking on a task
- look beyond obstacles and see the big vision – the end result
- solution-focused
- are optimistic
- focus their mind on getting things done
- are good at planning out and preparing their next move
- are willing to risk making a mistake for they know that they will learn in the process
How does a can-doer attract more clients? Why would you hire a can-doer? First of all, they are enthusiastic about taking on the challenge of serving you. Secondly, they usually have a track record of success because they are confident in their abilities. Thirdly, a can-doer radiates an energy you cannot help but want to be around.
How can you develop your can-do attitude? Believe in what you offer your clients. You might be saying to yourself – but of course I do otherwise I would not be in business. I have met people who are in business but they do not fully believe in what they are selling or they lack confidence in themselves and their ability to sell their product. Learn about your product. Speak passionately about your product or service when speaking to to others. Offer your client solutions to the problems they may be encountering. Discuss the possibilities – will it save them more time, help them live a healthier lifestyle, or get things done. Take a leap of action and own your attitude – take responsibility for your actions steps and adjust as you go.
The attitude you chose each day makes a difference. Those who make a difference say “I can!” Will you?
How does one’s attitude affect what you do?