“I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.” – Anne Frank
Life is hard. There is no multiple choice questionnaire upon birth where you can pick and choose your circumstances, biology, or time period. Many elements are completely out of our control. As the sobering quote points out, this does not leave us powerless. We cannot pretend to understand life’s most extreme hardships. Instead, we want to look at how attitude is one thing directly under our control with great impact to our lives.
Studies show positive thinking and interactions improve not only personal performance, but also that of groups. When researching overall team output, it was found that a higher ratio of positive interactions compared to negative ones resulted in increased performance1. A study of children found a positive attitude helps improve memory and lessen anxiety, regardless of IQ2. Unsurprisingly, findings also point to positive people being happier, healthier, and having better relationships3.
Keep in mind, a positive outlook alone is not a recipe for success. Laughing everything off or being sunny to the point of delirium is not healthy nor helpful. If your house is on fire and you are sitting in the middle of it calmly saying “This is fine”, we would strongly disagree. Positive thinking focuses on the mental approach of optimism. Looking towards what you can control, then searching for favorable outcomes.
A big part of positive thinking is learning. Reflect on your day. Nurture appreciation in your life. How can you improve your situation(s)? What can you learn to do better? What can you work to let go of because it is out of your control? Stay calm, take a step back, and form a plan. Then work to implement it. Even with positivity, there is no progress without action.
Action: Focus on your attitude this week. How is your outlook? How are you reacting? Reflect on how you can do better day over day.
Further Reading:
- The Role of Positivity and Connectivity in the Performance of Business TeamsA Nonlinear Dynamics Model
- Positive Attitude Toward Math Supports Early Academic Success: Behavioral Evidence and Neurocognitive Mechanisms
- The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?
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