Life isn’t all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of being. Encountering problems is not a bad thing, the main concern is the way we deal with it. A positive frame of mind is vital for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to raise performance in productivity and quality. We tend to be more confident and function better when we are feeling positive and well.
I have found biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is due to enhanced amounts of neuro transmitters like serotonin that regulate the efficiency abilities of the mind. The knock effects of a positive frame of mind also include improved wellbeing not only improved mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is because of the increase to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.
The reverse is also true, when we are depressed we are far more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our relationships with others decline, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can reduce. In a nutshell this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling unhappy from time to time is not uncommon but the way we decide to face a problem comes from our state of mind.
A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. People who think positively are far more likely to see challenges instead of problems or possibilities as opposed to difficulties. For example, entrepreneurs that are successful usually are because they are able to spot opportunities for growth in a market which other people only see problems in. The positive mental attitude of a successful person means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to ensure success and make their dream come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The difficulty for lots of people is in developing one in the first place.
Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For centuries religious men and scholars alike sought out and developed tactics to harness an inner harmony. While this may have begun to make humanity closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant today. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only steer us in to ways of being which are a detriment to our lives. Monks realised this long ago which is why they devote themselves to a life of abstinence and mental and spiritual fulfilment.
One of the simplest ways to determine your frame of mind is to think of how you are with other people. A great way to do this is to picture how you behave towards people you do not know. Are you outgoing and open to meeting and talking with people? Or are you insular and shy. Believe it or not one of the best ways to get over a negative frame of mind is to alter your attitude to the world around you and that means the people in it too. If you are usually uncomfortable around others then try this experiment.
One night make yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not be concerned about how you look or appear or what you discuss. A reference in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.
You see, how you are with other people will have an effect on the opportunities you get presented. Consider it in this way who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equivalent ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with people and the other is laid back and comfortable with others. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.
Do you find it hard to get into a positive frame of mind? If so check out Quentin’s free video on Overcoming social anxiety.
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