“Confidence is contagious; so is the lack of confidence” ~ Vince Lombardi
Great advice from one of the most respected NFL coaches of all time and two-time Super Bowl winner (1966-67)!
The past few years have been challenging for all of us, but have also brought so many silver linings. I have witnessed nothing short of miraculous resilience in people in the face of desperation, unexpected change and tragedy. I’ve seen people endure by being resourceful and digging deep to find solutions, options and positivity.
The power of positivity is all around us. I have been through more change and challenge in the past four and a half years than in the last 20! I have changed careers, moved four times, and launched a business in 2007, in one of the worst economic climates ever. What roots me today powers my positivity.
I have detached from stuff and connected to people. I have built new relationships, strengthened my long-term ones and pruned many others that have outlived their mutual purpose.
Being positive all the time is not realistic. Life happens, and we have feelings. That’s what makes us human and authentic. But whether you are primarily positive or negative is a essential part of your personal brand and how you are perceived. Are you an “I can’t” person, or an “I can” person?
Finding the silver linings, good news and positivity is contagious, magnetic and powerful. Feel the challenges, but live in the solutions.
Here are 10 ways that I power my positivity:
- Practicing work-life balance
- Volunteering and giving back
- Practicing radical acceptance
- Valuing family and friendship
- Changing bad habits
- Being willing to do new things
- Building a diverse support system
- Acting “as if”
- Defying toxic people
- Performing random acts of kindness
What do you do to power your positivity?
1. Acknowledge the good stuff regularly, and share it with others. I post a “gratitude list” on Facebook once in a while and people share their own lists in the comments. It’s nice.
2. Learn. There is so much easily accessible wisdom available. Acquiring knowledge helps me stay happy.
deborah shane
Dava, ‘gratitude and learning’ two wonderful ways for sure. Positivity tempers volatility..Thanks for your comment!
Jean | Delightful Repast
“I have detached from stuff and connected with people” jumped out at me! So much of what one reads about positivity is in connection with “stuff.” Your post was refreshing.
Fonda
Thank you for sharing this.
We get so caught up in the negative around us that we forget what is going right. Expressing gratitude is one way that we all can connect to positivity (even small business owners). A gratitude journal is great for reminding me of all the things for which I am grateful. Dava, I like your technique of the sharing the list on Facebook, I might have to borrow your idea.
Another way is to work within our strengths. Yes, we all have areas that need improvement, but there is no need to dwelt on them. Work within the strength areas and “build a diverse support team,” which can include individuals who have different strengths.
deborah shane
Jean, thanks for your comment. I guess as I ‘mature’ I value things and people for what they are really for: fill us up with what does matter, not what is fleeting.
deborah shane
Fonda, I so agree, valuing who we are (our strengths and liabilities), what we have brought to the world, our unique “it” legacy and yes sharing with and supporting others is so important now. We need each other. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks, Deborah.
You’re right; it’s been quite difficult to be positive..especially, lately.
I work on it every day.
Cranking up some Led Zeppelin usually helps my mood. That’s what i do.
And, I go to the beach. Annually.
The Franchise King®
deborah shane
Joel, It is harder, but it’s also a choice! I agree, and must say cranking up some Zeppelin, Beatles, Madonna, Bruno Mars and Gaga is a mood changer! Got your request. Congrats and sure!
Shaleen Shah
Thanks Deborah for sharing something to be positive about, especially when the economy is getting tougher and people are feeling the uncertainty of what the future might bring. I guess, positivity starts with gratitude… when you are thankful for the simplest thing you take for granted. If you can’t feel positive, at least try to give someone a smile, I’d say. Keep the positivity alive!
Dana Lightman, Ph.D.
Great ideas to power your positivity. Let me add one more…one of my favorites. SMILE. Smiling is contageous. When you smile at someone,they usually smile back (unless they are determined to remain in their negativity). That sets up a feel-good reflex in you, and so you have started a positive movement. Keep it going and watch yourself get on your upward spiral.
deborah shane
Shaleen, “gratitude is an action word”! I find that shifting the focus on someone or something else works wonders. I’m grateful to you!
deborah shane
Dana, smiling is a great one! Even when you don’t always feel it, it can make a difference. Let’s start a “Smile on Tuesday” no matter what commitment! Thanks