Life will never be all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering problems is not a bad thing, the main concern is the approach we take to deal with it. A positive frame of mind is significant for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to improve performance in productivity and quality. We are usually more confident and do better if we are feeling good 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 capabilities of the brain. The knock results of a positive frame of mind also include improved wellbeing not only improved mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is due to the boost to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.
The reverse is also true, if we are depressed we are far more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our relationships with people deteriorate, we begin to think irrationally and our confidents can drop. In short this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed ever so often is not uncommon but the way we decide to deal with a problem comes from our state of mind.
A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Those that think positively are more likely to see challenges as opposed to 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 marketplace which other people only see troubles in. The positive mental attitude of a successful person means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to succeed and make their vision come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The issue for most people is in developing one in the first place.
Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike sought out and developed techniques to harness an inner tranquility. While this may have begun to make humanity closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant nowadays. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only lead us in to ways of being that 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 easiest 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 confident and open to meeting and talking with other people? Or are you insular and scared. Believe it or not one of the best ways to conquer 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 generally uncomfortable around others then try this experiment.
One night make yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not worry about how you look or appear or what you talk about. A reference about the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.
You see, how you are with people will influence the opportunities you get offered. Think about it in this way who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equal ability and knowledge except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with others and the other is easy going and comfortable with other people. 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.
