Breaking the Chain of Negative Thinking

Some of us are born with the attitude that the world is at our foot steps, life is good, the glass is half full, our fortune is a day away, all our dreams will soon be filled… Others call themselves realists. The problem with realists is that they often focus on the negative – the world is stepping on me, life is hard, the glass is half empty, my retirement nest egg is shrinking, my dreams are becoming a nightmare… So, which profile fits you?

If you are the realist, there is a tendency to become bound with the chain of negative thinking. Positive thinkers don’t like to be around negative thinkers, they depress them.  That is a problem since most senior hiring managers have learned to be positive thinkers!

So, let’s take a closer look at the positive thinker. Some put their head in the sand and insist on being positive even when the building is collapsing around them. Others believe that by the power of their positive thoughts they can think themselves into success. Perhaps they are right, but I suspect that what is really happening is that by choosing to be positive they are focusing on how to make things better.

The positive choice is to choose to take risk, to work hard, to ask others for help, to build up one another, to encourage each other, to trust others, to brainstorm with others, and to examine the world around them in order to act swiftly upon changing paradigms and trends. Do these things and you won’t have time to be negative, more people will like you and be willing to help you, and you can become an expert that others will seek out to help them.

The last stage is to realize that there are two side of a coin. What appears negative on one side of the coin can actually be an incredible opportunity – if you are looking for it.

Positive people are willing to take risks, fail, learn from mistakes, and be committed to continuing the cycle. That is how they succeed. The results eventually make them smile – reinforcing their decision to be positive. The future is bright for those to work at it over the long haul.

How do you break the chains of negative thinking?