Having a positive attitude is all about the way we approach life's challenges. It is about making the most out of situations be they good or bad, taking on challenges with a positive outlook, viewing ourselves and our abilities in a positive light and seeing the best in others.
Having a positive attitude in the workplace has lots of benefits, a positive attitude can spread very easily and makes the work environment a much happier place for everyone. Not only that, but when people are positive, they are open to new challenges and working alongside positive people allows us to be brave with our own ideas without fear of judgement.
Positive people also tend to be happier and more successful in their careers as they take responsibility for their own happiness and achievements. When we are positive and are focusing on happy, optimistic thoughts our brains produce serotonin which creates a sense of well-being and helps us to function at a higher capacity.
Studies have shown that people with a more optimistic attitude are more capable at coping with negative feedback or events. By dealing with the feedback or problem with a positive outlook they were able to find solutions without taking it personally or engaging in self-doubt.
However, there is a fine line between having a positive attitude and being too positive all of the time. When we are too positive, we can be ignorant to potential pitfalls, struggle to create back up plans and problem solve. Living life wearing rose tinted glasses can actually stem creativity and when a person with too much optimism is faced with difficult life events they are at risk of not having built up the resilience to deal effectively with the problem which can lead to unsound, rash decisions and dramatic mood declines.
Similarly, being too negative has damaging effects, it can be draining, not only on ourselves but for those around us. Negativity can affect engagement, productivity and can influence employee retention. When we are negative our brains release cortisol, which if frequently released over long periods of time can affect our mental and physical wellbeing. When we think negatively, we slow down our brain activity, making it difficult for us to process thoughts, find solutions and make sound judgements.
So, while a person with a critical eye on a project can definitely have its benefits it is also important to find the right balance between positivity and negativity.
With all this in mind We have identified four types of people when it comes to positive attitude:
People who are 'Too Positive'
People who are 'Balanced Positive'
People who are 'Mixed positive/negative'
And people who are mainly 'Negative'
Events in our past and our core personality all have an effect on how we see the world and our attitude towards people and events within our lives, and whilst change is not always easy coaching can really help.
As coaching is all about asking questions to raise self-awareness, thinking creatively, looking at things from a different perspective and putting new behaviours into practice to create long term change.
We've carefully chosen some micro-coaching exercises and challenges to help you work on your wellbeing.
And remember, throughout the module. You can make commitments to yourself to start to do some things differently.
So, let's make a start now!
