Positivity vs Negativity : A perspective

“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.”?—Maya Angelou

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Positivity and Negativity: A perspective

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We have always heard people saying, a certain person has a positive or negative attitude. What does it really mean? What type of attitude do we behold? Is it really possible for a person to be positive or negative all the time? Let us try to find out.?

In its simplest form, attitude is nothing more than a decision that we make on how we respond to what is going on around us. The challenge is, on most occasions, this decision is a subconscious one. The difference between a positive and a negative attitude is the decision that someone has made on how he will respond to a situation he is facing. The difference we see is both in his behavior and his actions. The difference can be described as negative reaction versus positive action:

Negative reaction – when someone chooses to respond negatively to a situation, he tends to look back at the problem and becomes so focused on the problem that he cannot move any further forward.

Positive action – when someone chooses to respond positively to a situation, he tends to move into action mode or solution mode. He recognises that he cannot change the past and therefore the problem, but he can influence what happens next.?

Our brain is the most complex part of our body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Safe in its bony shell and washed by protective fluid, the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity. When we think positively, we feel good about situations, life and ourselves, this in turn allows our bodies to release hormones like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. Every thought we think of, impacts the release chemicals in the brain. For example, when positive thoughts are generated i.e. when we feel happy or optimistic, Cortisol decreases and the brain produces Serotonin, creating a feeling of well-being. When Serotonin levels are normal, one feels happy, calmer, less anxious, more focused and more emotionally stable. Dopamine is also a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward system and the pleasure center.?

It is difficult to categorize someone with a complete positive or complete negative attitude. People show a positive?attitude for some things and a negative attitude for some others. This can vary depending on a person’s goals, motivation factors, skills, self-belief, economic status and opportunities. The reality is, happiness in our life depends on the quality of our thoughts. The following are to be kept in mind for channeling our thoughts for better results:?

1. Failure is also a part of learning

Positive people view failure as an opportunity to learn and get better. They understand that failure is an event, and does not define who they are. Negative people are emotionally disabled by failure because they allow it to define who they are. They fail to understand that it is part of the overall learning and growing process.?

2. Tough tasks/ situations help us improve

Positive people love to be challenged. They understand that there is no growth without struggle. Positive people embrace difficulty, and look for ways to overcome them. Negative people love the easy road. Because obstacles increase the likelihood of failure, they try to avoid them like the plague. For negative people the feeling is –“hard times do not make you, they break you.”?

3. I put my best to whatever I do

Positive people focus on giving their best effort, regardless of the situation. They understand that there are many things they cannot control, but effort is not one of them. No matter what, the positive person strives to give his best. Negative people want things to come easy to them. If they have to try hard, they believe they are just not good at it and give up.?

4. I take inspirations from others’ achievements

Positive people are inspired by the success of others. They look at those who are excelling and ask themselves the question - “What can I learn from them?” Negative people become jealous and threatened by the success of others. To negative people, when others succeed it means they are failing.?

5. How can I be a bit better?

Positive people embrace feedback. Because they are always striving to get better, they are open to learning anything that will enhance their skill set. Negative people get offended when they receive correction or feedback. Instead of seeing it as means to improve, they interpret feedback as a sign of their incompetence.

?6. Flexibility is essential for success

Positive people believe that they can change, and that other people can also change. Negative people believe that people are fixed in their approaches and thoughts. They do not try to improve because they believe it is not at all needed. Also, negative people do not allow others to change. Once a negative person puts a label on something, it is very difficult for him to see it in a different way.?

7. I still have a lot to learn.

Positive people love to learn. They understand information evolves and what used to work 10-years ago might not be effective today. Negative people believe they know it all and are less likely to welcome new information if it contradicts what they believe. They care less about what is right and more about who is right.?

8. Let’s think BIG

A positive person aims for the bigger targets and keeps raising the bar higher. He invests time and energy in improving himself to be ready for the higher goals. A negative person not only thinks small, but he also tries to convince others that their dreams and aspirations are too big.?

9. See and talk about the good in others

Positive people build others up when they are not around. Negative people tear people down to make themselves feel good. This gives them the false sense of superiority.?

10. I am my own worst enemy or best friend

Positive people have effective self-talk. They are aware of the story they tell themselves and do not allow their own thoughts to discourage them. Additionally, they are realistic with their expectations. Positive people do not feed themselves lies about their weaknesses or how difficult the situation is. Instead, they tell themselves what they need to do to succeed. Their body language also exudes confidence. Negative people are their own worst enemy. They struggle to see the bright side of anything, even if they are successful. They are also masterful at focusing on all the negative aspects, and diminishing their own confidence.?

11. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM)

Positive people will get behind and support ideas that are not their own, if they find it really good. Positive people do not underestimate the power of encouraging words. On the other hand, Negative people have a hard time supporting ideas that are not their own. They feel threatened somehow. Positive people like to spread positivity. They pay close attention when others do well, and they are quick to tell them. Negative people say, “Why would I compliment someone for things he is supposed to do?” What they do not understand is that it’s not about the compliment. It’s about showing the other person that you notice him. A simple compliment can strengthen relationships and motivate the person to do even better.?

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People with positive attitudes have good interpersonal relationships at family and work in comparison to people with negative attitudes. People with positive attitudes have feelings of unity and cooperation, they approach each task with a can-do mindset. They hold the capability to solve each problem by communicating effectively. Communication is extremely essential for long-lasting relationships. However, people with negative attitudes want to change the outcome without changing themselves. They have poor communication skills and do not believe in unity and cooperation which results in their having constant conflicts with others.?

Surprisingly, there are some benefits of the Negative Thinking also. Negative thinking is different from Negativity, please note. Negativity involves a habitual attitude of?anger, cynicism, helplessness, or sadness in all or many situations. Negative thinking, by contrast, means the ability to see the potential dark side of people, ideas, places, and things, in order to respond to them in a realistic and self-protective manner. Negative thinking helps us envision the worst thing that can happen and often prevent it by taking the corrective actions. Negative thinking helps us set boundaries which lets us do things which are actually doable and ensures that we do not go overboard. Negative thinking helps us look at ourselves and others more realistically. Balanced with positivity,?studies have shown, negative thinking actually keeps our minds and bodies healthy.?Studies?also show that a little critical approach to life can improve its quality overall.?

Positive thinking versus negative thinking is an interesting comparison as it forces us to evaluate our own mindset, find meaningful reasons to move forward and re-focus our daily intentions. What we think determines what we believe. Rewiring our brain and thought process can positively transform our life. Mastering our own emotions unlocks the ability to positively influence our current & future actions to live a more productive & healthier lifestyle. We cannot control every negative event, however, we can definitely control how we react to each of them.

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“I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.”?—Walt Disney

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