Maybe it’s raining outside, and you are soaked to the skin. Maybe you’ve just had a difficult telephone conversation with a customer or colleague that has left you wanting to place the waste paper bin over your head and sit quietly in a corner. Maybe you are having an Excel-Based Nightmare, and are teetering on the brink of picking up your desktop and launching it out of your (closed) office window… whatever it is, we’ve all been there! But try, just for a moment, looking on the bright side – at least your computer isn’t on fire! (Yet…)
Optimism can have a dramatic impact on all aspects of your life – not just work. By embracing hope, communicating positively, and carrying out work in an effective and positive manner with a ‘can do’ attitude, you may find it easier to problem solve, experience better health, and build up more positive relationships than those who consider themselves to be pessimists:
“Research from Barbara Fredrickson, a Psychology Professor who has written extensively about positivity, found that those who think positive thoughts have a greater capacity to take on board new information. This then improves a person’s perspective and ability to ‘connect the dots’, enabling them to tackle any problems and obstacles that arise”
Article by Mark Feldman
As well as helping you to think and work more effectively, a ‘can do’ attitude of optimism and positivity makes you more approachable – that is, as long as the ‘can do’ attitude is based on realistic goals and expectations. By using positive language and suggesting solutions to problems, rather than just saying ‘no’ or ‘I can’t do that’, we are able to build rapport and trust with colleagues and customers. It is important to remain assertive though! Saying yes to everything, even if there is no chance of you actually being able to complete a task, is only going to result in stress and negativity. Be honest about what you can realistically achieve, and the timescale for this, in order to come across as trustworthy and dependable – factors just as important as being considered ‘positive’ when you are trying to build up a successful working relationship with a customer or colleague.
According to research, developing a positive attitude in life can also benefit your health and increase your energy levels – another two reasons to look on the bright side of life! According to an article by Elizabeth Scott, M.S., a stress management expert for www.stress.about.com, it has been proven through academic research that optimists and positive thinkers are more productive, enjoy better health, are less weighed down by stress and are generally more successful in life than their pessimistic counterparts. So take that waste paper bin off your head and take a deep breath – try to shake off that negativity and aim for an afternoon of positive thinking.
You never know, this could be the start of something positively amazing!
Optimism can have a dramatic impact on all aspects of your life – not just work. By embracing hope, communicating positively, and carrying out work in an effective and positive manner with a ‘can do’ attitude, you may find it easier to problem solve, experience better health, and build up more positive relationships than those who consider themselves to be pessimists:
“Research from Barbara Fredrickson, a Psychology Professor who has written extensively about positivity, found that those who think positive thoughts have a greater capacity to take on board new information. This then improves a person’s perspective and ability to ‘connect the dots’, enabling them to tackle any problems and obstacles that arise”
Article by Mark Feldman
As well as helping you to think and work more effectively, a ‘can do’ attitude of optimism and positivity makes you more approachable – that is, as long as the ‘can do’ attitude is based on realistic goals and expectations. By using positive language and suggesting solutions to problems, rather than just saying ‘no’ or ‘I can’t do that’, we are able to build rapport and trust with colleagues and customers. It is important to remain assertive though! Saying yes to everything, even if there is no chance of you actually being able to complete a task, is only going to result in stress and negativity. Be honest about what you can realistically achieve, and the timescale for this, in order to come across as trustworthy and dependable – factors just as important as being considered ‘positive’ when you are trying to build up a successful working relationship with a customer or colleague.
According to research, developing a positive attitude in life can also benefit your health and increase your energy levels – another two reasons to look on the bright side of life! According to an article by Elizabeth Scott, M.S., a stress management expert for www.stress.about.com, it has been proven through academic research that optimists and positive thinkers are more productive, enjoy better health, are less weighed down by stress and are generally more successful in life than their pessimistic counterparts. So take that waste paper bin off your head and take a deep breath – try to shake off that negativity and aim for an afternoon of positive thinking.
You never know, this could be the start of something positively amazing!
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