Positivity Can Be Infectious

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." - Thomas Jefferson

Every once in a while, I'll find myself in a bit of a mental funk. When I finally notice it, it often seems that everyone else around me is in a similar mental funk. Likely feeding off each other. No one is really able to pinpoint a reason why, or at least a good one. It just sometimes happens that way and then begins to spiral in the wrong direction.

Sometimes it can spark from one little negative attitude or phrase. It's infectious. How often do you catch yourself (or others) saying negative defeating phrases like: "I can't do it." "I've never been able to do it." "No one can do it." "We don't have the right tools." "We don't have the right resources." "We don't have the time." "We haven't had the training." "I don't know how." "I'll be able to do it, when..."

We are full of excuses as to why we cannot do something. Sometimes an excuse comes out even before we've made an effort to get something done. If we start with an attitude like that, are we likely to succeed? Not likely. We are setting ourselves up for failure.

But if we take on the challenge with enthusiasm and positive energy, assuming that we're going to be just fine and be able to get the task done or reach our goal...we just might. Our mind functions clearer when it isn't burdened by fear, uncertainty, or doubt. Negativity and low self-esteem never add to your chances of success.

We may not always be able to meet our goals. We may not always be able to change the tasks that need to get done. But we can definitely change our approach and attitude toward them. And we might be surprised by our outcomes.

Think positive. We need to start with our own thoughts. And those thoughts need to be positive reinforcements of the results we tend to produce. If you start with positive thoughts, they are reflected in your words and actions. If we continue to take positive actions, it is reflected in your outcomes. By continually working this positive cycle, you begin to establish positive habits.

Think about this: A healthy lifestyle is more than just eating right and exercising regularly. It includes taking care of both your physical and your mental health. Just think, if everyone focused on mental and emotional health as much as we do with physical health, there would be no shortage of positivity and feel-good energy everywhere!

There are slight subtle differences. Happy people and unhappy people tend to explain and see the world differently. When an unhappy person must interpret a situation, they will see or find negative in the event eight out of ten times. A happy person tends to seek out the positive in everything.

Remember, positivity can be infectious, but so can negativity. You need to start with yourself and be able to spread the positive vibes around to others. It will also be easier to sustain when you are surrounded by positive people. By acting positively, pleasant, and optimistic, you become a cheerful, optimistic, and enjoyable person to be around. Then, like a mirror, others will tend to be more positive and enjoyable in return. Make an effort to turn a negative approach and attitude into a positive one.

You can start with a bit of humor to lighten the mood. You can offer someone a compliment. Look for ways to positively reinforce a situation or an action. Practice intentional acts of kindness. Help someone who needs it the most. Smile. The acts can be tiny, but the results can be enormous. Seek to inject a bit of positive mental attitude into your day today and watch the results unfold and change right before your very eyes!

Make today a positive day! Make today great!

Curtis

"You can make positive deposits in your own economy every day by reading and listening to positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people. Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." - Zig Ziglar