The Challenges of Staying Positive

The Challenges of Staying Positive –
three “P”s to look out for

A positive attitude is paramount to successfully building your business.  But sometimes events happen, people disappoint, programs fail, or we miss the mark and the result is the temptation to dive into the half empty pool and beat ourselves up.  It is best to catch our feelings on the way down and bring them back up, and you can.  It requires stealth observation of how we are feeling and why, and putting it all into the right perspective, our own perspective!  Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements teaches that we should learn NOT to take things so personal, stay true to our word, never assume anything, and when we find ourselves laying facedown in the dirt, get up, shake ourselves and continue to do our best!

Following is an article on the three things that usually trip us up when we are challenged.  Very enlightening and something to remember and stay aware of.

Three Ways to be Positive

You leave your old, secure job for a fresh opportunity at a hot new company. But one month later that hot company is out of gas, and you’re out of a job. An optimist would say, “Well, it’s unfortunate, but it’s just temporary. I have other possibilities. I did all I could.” This person bounces back from disappointment and stays motivated.

However, a pessimist would look at the same setback and say, “This is terrible. I’ll never get over it. It just ruins everything. I don’t have what it takes for this business.” This attitude withers motivation and leads to despair and self-blame.

Which style is yours? The way we think is paramount to our success in life and building your business!

If you take the pessimistic approach, you may be making harmful self-fulfilling prophecies, predicting failure, and robbing yourself of energy and drive.

If you’re plagued by pessimism, give your attitude an overhaul. It just takes awareness and effort. Start by looking at what are called the three P’s of pessimism — permanent, pervasive and personal.

If you think the situation is permanent, you believe it’s unchangeable and the consequences will last forever. If you allow the problem to be pervasive, it will negatively affect every area of your life. If you take the situation personally, you feel it’s a reflection of your flaws or failure. 

Diverting the effects of negative thinking: Learn to challenge the three P’s.

• PERMANENT: Always look to see what can be changed or salvaged — the old making lemonade from lemons approach.

• PERVASIVE: Focus on the specific situation and don’t generalize. Don’t let one small, isolated problem become like a wildfire roaring through your life affecting everything.

• PERSONAL: Don’t personalize events with self-blame. Accept legitimate responsibility and learn from mistakes but don’t beat yourself up for every setback.

The key to changing your pessimistic outlook is learning that you can change it. Accepting this truth is the first step to personal growth. Next, focus on your strengths. Acknowledge your positive efforts, and you’ll start living better and happier.

Article from Lessons for Living