And Why It’s Important

In a prior post, I talking about my personal mission to energize every day by starting with a positive attitude (in contrast to my given nature). Get this BOOK now

If the world is split between the glass “half-full” crowd and the “half-empty” crowd” I’m squarely in the latter. Three-quarters empty might be more accurate on most days.

But, I also believe a positive attitude is essential for productivity and achieving one’s goals.

So, I start my 30-Day Quest for a Positive Attitude.

Off to a Shaky Start

As I set out to start my first day in a hyper-positive mood, a thought crossed my mind. Get this BOOK now

What exactly is a Positive Attitude?

(I’m off-the-rails already.)

Is this an emotion or a thought — or both?

One can’t exist in isolation, so it must be both.

Which one preceded the other?

Experts say thought precedes emotion, but often at lightning speed, so it gives the illusion that the emotion just sprang up out of nothing.

We may not even realize the thought, but we sure as hell experience the emotion, (anger, jealousy, envy, anxiety . . .).

I’m tempted to pull one of my old books off the shelf that explains the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and how the brain works, the differences between the older parts of our brain the newer parts (the amygdala vs the cerebrum).

But, I’ve read those books more than once and that’s how I got to this point — but no further.

An academic understanding of the way the brain works is great, but it doesn’t necessarily translate to application.

Just because I understand music theory doesn’t mean I can conduct a symphonic orchestra.

If I try to define a“Positive Attitude” I’ll end up diving down a deep rabbit hole with no light and no map.

A positive attitude is a blend of thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses. And, it’s so relative and subjective— how could I possibly define it without a dozen qualifications.

Suffice it to say, we know when we feel positive and when we don’t.

Just because I can’t define it, doesn’t mean I can’t manage it.

I don’t have a perfect understanding of my car’s engine and drive train either, but I have no trouble keeping it in the correct lane and getting to my destination.

What are my options to generate a positive attitude.

5 Methods to Generate a Positive Outlook

There’s no single universal solution. A lot depends on our personality and the nature of our challenge, and it changes with the circumstances.

Option #1: Recognize a negative emotion, pause, examine the thought, acknowledge it is irrational and re-tool your thinking in more logical ways.

This is a well-known path of behavior therapy that categorizes thoughts into cognitive distortions.

These include things like (my three favorites):

1. Over-generalization. (Taking anecdotal data and assuming it is the norm.)
2. Disqualifying the Positive (The deal I closed was just dumb luck.)
3. Jumping to Conclusions (John isn’t answering my texts, he hates me.) Get this BOOK now

Once we realize the distortion, we’ve got a fighting chance to correct the thinking to something more logical.

(John isn’t answering my texts could be for any number of reasons: his phone is off, he’s busy at work, the battery is low . . .)

When you’re just starting out, it’s useful to write down the irrational thought. Make notes on the reasons it is irrational. Then, write down the new thought and all the reasons it makes more sense.

Don’t expect that doing this once will be the end of the cognitive distortions.

They may be a habit you’ve had for years and it will take a lot of repetitions to develop a new habit.

Option #2: Recognize the negative thought and replace it with a positive thought instantly.

This is shortcut for Option #1. It’s a much faster and a more practical option once you understand the concepts.

It lacks nuance — like killing a fly with a sledgehammer.

When you recognize the irrational thought beginning, replace it instantly with a positive thought. This can all take place in about 10 seconds, no analysis required, no writing involved.

Have a phrase prepared so you can use it instantly.

This develops the part of your mind that is monitoring your thoughts and emotions. Some people call this the observing or witnessing mind or the impartial spectator.

This part of your mind may be dormant.

Meditation is useful for developing the witnessing mind. But, you can start immediately.

The next time your feel an emotion and recognize that an illogical thought is starting to take hold, interrupt it immediately.

Replace the negative thought with a positive mantra. This could be a broad based statement such as:

Every Day in Every Way I’m Getting Better and Better.

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Another one is:

I Am Enough.

If these are too corny, write your own.

Option #3: Start each day by immersing yourself in positive thoughts.

This is another well-known route. You might say it’s a preemptive approach to cognitive distortions.

Start your day with meditations, gratitude journaling, and affirmations.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach.

I’ve used it myself.

It’s a great way to start the day on a positive note.

When someone cuts you off in traffic and gives YOU the finger, those positive vibes can be wiped clean like they never happened.

Then, you can revert to option #2.

When you start shouting that the driver is an idiot that should have his license revoked — you can instantly change your thinking to something like . . .

That was a close call, luckily I’m a defensive driver.

Option #4: Take action.

This option relies on the idea that emotions follow the lead of your physical state.

Typically, there is a chain reaction as follows:

Thought — Emotion — Action

Example: You interpret a comment from a co-worker as critical — you get angry — you lash out.

We can use our executive control to interrupt this sequence. That’s our willpower taking over.

But, actions can also initiate emotions and thought.

Let’s say you volunteer at a soup kitchen for the homeless. It gives you an emotional lift. There’s an underlying mental thought process that you’re behaving like a moral and ethical person and that generates the emotion.

But, it started with action.

What if you’re feeling inadequate in your work, like an impostor that isn’t up to the challenge? Researcher Amy Cuddy would suggest power poses.

Consciously adopting the body language of a successful and competent person can change your mental outlook.

Fake it until you are it.

Option #5: Emulate Your Superhero

Heroes are harder than ever to find.

In a word of instant communication, social media and cameras in everyone's smartphone, no misdeed (or tweet) goes unnoticed.

But, if you can find a hero in your past, maybe a parent, grandparent, or other authority figure.

Think of the way they would overcome their challenges in life and maintain a positive outlook.

When you feel the negative demons starting creep into your mind, think of your hero and try to emulate their code of conduct, behavior, and attitude.

Ask yourself:

What would ________ Do in this situation? Get this BOOK now

Pick Your Method

These are five technique you can employ to boost your positive outlook. Pick the method that resonates and give it a try.

Why It’s Important

You may be a student struggling with study, a professional struggling with your career, an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or a homemaker juggling a thousand things at once.

Sometimes if feels like the world is crushing you and there’s no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel . . .

You can’t even find the tunnel.

The only way you can turn this around is with a positive attitude — in the face of all the adversity.

An artists doesn’t produce their best work with an attitude of . . .

I’m a terrible artist and a horrible person, but I’ll paint this picture anyway.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an artist, a CPA, an engineer, or a janitor.

Your attitude affects the quality of your work and your success.

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