“How do I stay positive when everyone and everything around me seems so negative?” This is a very common question I get from the community, especially lately.
They point to the fires burning in our state, dealing with the higher-than-normal temperatures, the economy, and still many are struggling with unemployment. These are just a few of the reasons that people have pointed to in their emails to me when asking how to stay positive in spite of all of these things and more.
As I was responding to the recent wave of emails I found myself using one word consistently, and that word was perspective. In my email response I encouraged the person to keep things in perspective and to temper any negativity or the feeling to be sucked in to someone else’s negativity with a positive outlook.
The devastation of the fires is very real and the toll they have taken on lives, animals, homes and communities is overwhelming. I don’t want to place a positive “Band-Aid” or spin on something that is so truly and harshly negative and absolutely very sad. What I would like to do though is remind everyone that even in the grimmest of situations, a positive attitude will help us to do everything 100 percent better than a negative attitude will.
When we can recognize and acknowledge that we are in a bad or tough situation, we must stop and think what the most productive and positive thing is that we can be doing at that moment. For some people it’s giving a hug or lending a shoulder to someone in need. Others help out financially or through donations of food, clothing, furniture, and their own time. It is an incredible thing to see how so many people rise to the occasion when something negative happens, it’s like their charitable or compassionate muscles kick into high gear.
If you find yourself with someone who has been beaten down and has become negative and maybe even bitter or resentful, try leading by example. Offer a potential idea for doing something positive, or maybe even ask them what they believe could be the most positive and productive thing that they can be doing right now. If they are either too overwhelmed with sadness or have become resigned to being miserable, share two or three ideas that you can think of that could improve the situation. Put on your creative hat and brainstorm about some positive things that can be done immediately or at least in the near future.
And if it is just you, finding yourself alone in a negative situation, worried about the next steps or stages in life and what is in store for you, try doing the same thing. Right now, think about the most positive and productive things that can be done at this moment. They don’t have to be huge or grand events, they may just be simple or small actions that can bring relief and set you on a better course and provide you with a happier or more settled peace of mind.
You see it is all about perspective. And if we choose to look at every situation with a positive outlook and attitude we may just find that we are doing more good for ourselves and everyone around us. We may even find ourselves holding a home-made sign on the side of the road thanking those brave firemen for all that they have been doing and enduring to protect us. This is only one example of perception, just sayin’.
Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com
Comments
Post a Comment