Life isn’t all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering problems is not a bad thing, what matters is the way we deal with it. A positive frame of mind is imperative for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to improve performance in efficiency and quality. We tend to be more confident and do better if we are feeling good and well.
There are biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is because of enhanced levels of neuro transmitters such as serotonin that regulate the efficiency capabilities of the mind. The knock effects of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not just better mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is due to the enhance to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.
The opposite is also true, when we are depressed we are far more liable to contracting other diseases and mental health issues. Our relationships with others decline, 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 unusual but the way in which we choose to deal with a problem comes from our state of mind.
A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Individuals who think positively are more likely to see challenges instead of problems or possibilities instead of difficulties. For instance, entrepreneurs that are successful generally are because they are able to spot opportunities for progress in a market 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 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.
Creating a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike searched for and developed techniques to harness an inner harmony. While this may have begun to make mankind 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 direct 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 simplest ways to determine your frame of mind is to think of how you are with other people. A good 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 other 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 change your attitude to the world around you and that means the people in it also. If you are generally uncomfortable around others then try this experiment.
One night force 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 have an effect on the opportunities you get offered. Consider it like this 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 other 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 think the way you are is affecting your life and opportunities? If so you must get Quentin’s free video on Overcoming social anxiety.