Life is not all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering difficulty is not a bad thing, what matters is the way we deal with it. A positive frame of mind is essential for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to enhance performance in efficiency and quality. We are usually more confident and do better if we are feeling positive and well.
I have found biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is as a result of enhanced amounts of neuro transmitters such as serotonin that regulate the performance abilities of the mind. The knock results of a positive frame of mind also include better wellbeing not just 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, when we are depressed we are far more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our interaction with people degrade, we begin to think irrationally and our confidents can fall. In a nutshell this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling unhappy from time to time is not unusual but the way 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 example, entrepreneurs that are successful generally are because they are able to spot opportunities for progress in a market which others 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 issue for many people is in developing one in the first place.
Creating a positive frame of mind is not some new aged fad. For ages religious men and scholars alike searched for and created tactics 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 nowadays. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only steer 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 best ways to determine your frame of mind is to think about 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 outgoing and open to meeting and talking with others? Or are you insular and scared. Believe it or not one of the best ways to conquer a negative frame of mind is to change your mindset to the world around you and that means the people in it as well. If you are usually uncomfortable around other people then try this experiment.
One night push 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 in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.
You see, how you are with people will affect the opportunities you get presented. Consider it like this who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equivalent ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with others and the other is laid back and comfortable with people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.
If you are intersted in learning how to develop a positive frame of mind check out Quentin’s free video on Self confidence building.