Have you noticed others being negative at work? Do you hear co-workers complaining, but no one seems to be coming up with solutions to problems? When we are negative, our brains shut off the outside world and limit the options we see around us. Negativity affects morale, performance and productivity. Author Jon Gordon and the Gallup Organization both report the losses in the US Economy to be well over $250 – $300 million per year in lost productivity due to missed days at work, time that employees aren’t working, time complaining to each other, doctor visits from stress, and less success and energy.
The good news is that we have the power choose our own attitude. Author Shawn Achor states that only 10% of our long term happiness can be predicted based upon our environment while 90% of our long-term happiness is predicted based on how our brains process the world. We can change our life outcomes just by changing our behavior and mindset. Positivity turns on the part of the brain responsible for good decision making, processing possibility and forming meanings.
And here’s the really good news… Positivity can be contagious! Intentional changes to the environment can cause positivity to spread, but being positive starts with you. You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it does take time and practice.
Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic, first identify areas of your life that you typically think negatively about. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way.
Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you’re thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.
Laugh. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.
Follow a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least three times a week to positively affect mood and reduce stress. Follow a healthy diet to fuel your mind and body. And learn techniques to manage stress.
Practice positive self-talk. Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with positive self-affirmations.
How to Help Your Team Be More Positive:
Show gratitude. Recognizing others for their contribution is a powerful team builder. Routinely expressing gratitude can set a powerful and positive tone of deep respect among co-workers.
Focus on strengths. Utilizing our talents in the workplace is a confidence builder. If you supervise others, help facilitate this process for them as well.
Practice “flexible” thinking. When considering a new challenge, be sure to explore potential obstacles and generate alternative pathways to effectively manage them. This exercise builds feelings of hopefulness in the face of an unexpected turn of events.
Support your team. If you manage others, ensure that you are communicating your confidence in their abilities. Does your team understand that you truly believe in them?
