Perception Management: The difference between being positive vs. having a positive mindset.

Yes there really is a difference between being positive and having a positive mindset!

It is time to shake up the notion that if you think positive you are a positive person. Thinking positive is not really enough. It is just a tool. 

The power of “positivity” is in the ability to make it your mindset. Everything else is just a tactic, and although these tactics are quite important, they are not really the foundation needed to live a positive life. They are just some of the tools used to implement a positive life.

What the heck are you talking about Dave? Now I am completely confused. GOOD! That is wa my intention.  It is time to interrupt the way you think about what it means to be a positive person. 

The reality is this: maintaining a truly positive mindset can be difficult. Especially in today’s 15-second attention span theatre, where our environmental stimuli is constantly changing. Doing positive things however, is pretty easy.

Let’s dive a bit deeper. First a little clarification.  What do I mean by a positive mindset? We have all heard the phrase “is the glass half full or half empty.” We have all been taught that the negative person sees the glass as half empty and the positive person sees the glass as half full. INTERRUPTION ALERT: I think that is not the case at all!!

A person with a truly positive mindset does not really care how much water is in the glass. What? Yes, that is what I said! The positive mindset person recognizes that there is at least something in the glass and this excites them! And it is this recognition that gives them reason to be positive. Do you see the connection yet? Positive is an outcome!

A positive state of mind is the outcome, not the action!

Let’s look at things this way:  A person with a positive mindset can virtually see something good, motivational, inspiring, etc., in every situation – all the time – every time. If it’s raining, their mind goes to the plants needing nourishment, if they are stuck in traffic, they question if it is a problem or an inconvenience (and of course, they always recognize that it is an inconvenience and an opportunity to use their time to get something else done). Most importantly, a person with a positive mindset knows that every situation we face is temporary. They implement the principles of Perception Management to modify the way they perceive a given situation. And the outcome: being positive about it!

What are few of these tools and exercises that a person with a positive mindset uses? First and foremost, they use the tool of brain training. This is something many of you are already familiar with (it has been called Neurolinguistic Programming amongst other things). The positive mindset person does whatever they can to put positive thoughts into their way of thinking, feeling and behaving.

?They say a mantra of gratitude several times a day

?Consistently saying to themselves exactly the type of day they will have

?They make lists of inspirational/motivational phrases to repeat throughout their day

? They look for ways to help others (nothing is too small, maybe it is simply a smile)

? They read and look for motivational books, phrases, stories that help inspire them

?They detach from negativity by implementing the principles of Perception Management

These are just some examples of the tools and actions a person with a positive mindset uses to fuel their “who” and their “why” of themselves. (Principles of Perception Management)

What I am getting at here is this, it isn’t enough to just THINK positive things as often as you can. To have a truly positive mindset, you must be DOING positive things all the time. A person with a positive mindset is constantly interrupting the way they think or feel about a situation and modifying their perceptions, so they will FEEL positive.  

Are you starting to see the distinction yet? Thinking + Doing = Feeling.

Further, a person with a positive mindset is always looking for ways to help others. If they see someone going through a challenging time in life, they reach out and help them interrupt the way they are thinking and modify their perceptions. The positive mindset person connects everything they do with some type of positive outcome.

The result is a mindset that becomes a way of life. It does not allow any other outcome except a positive one! You see, a positive mindset is actually, the engine that fuels the outcomes you believe are possible.

The positive mindset is about FEELING positive (not just thinking positive) in everything you do and putting out those vibes to the universe. 

Are YOU ready to evovle to a truly positive mindset? Do you want to understand the power of Perception Management and how it can help you or your business grow sustainably? 

To learn more, reach out to me at www.perceptionmanagement.org or find me on LinkedIn and let’s connect! linkedin.com/in/daveperceptionmanagement