Does the question ' Is the glass half-full or half-empty' really matter to an Executive or an Administrator? How does that view point affect the big ticket items like sales, employee retention, and decision making?
Why is optimism even important? Can't you be just as effective and be a pessimist? Here is what I think -
Pessimists can be quitters. They see an obstacle, they can visualize the perceived outcome and they just give in and give up. I mean, it wasn't going to work out anyway so why not quit? Whereas Optimists see the possibilities and continue to search for a solution because they know that one is out there....just around the corner!
But wait! Before the pessimist's get all snarky let's look at what I mean by Optimism. I'm definitely not talking about the Pollyana types. The kind of people that float through life making impossible goals and setting outlandish expectations in the hope that everything will magically turn out ok if you only believe! I'm referring to the kind of optimism that is denoted in the following paragraph by Dana Lightman PHD:
The optimists who are needed in today’s workplace embody qualities that include self-awareness, flexibility, self-confidence, initiative, resiliency, and adaptability. Whether CEO, manager or line staff, these optimists employ a system of thinking, feeling and behaving that creates conditions for success. Their optimistic attitude allows them to recognize and redirect unproductive reactions, to think before acting, and to choose beneficial responses. Optimism equips them with a perspective that fosters personal accountability, innovative thinking and appropriate risk-taking.
WOW! Optimism is sounding better and better.
Did you know that your brain can actually tell when you are feeling optimistic and it can affect your learning and your work output? When you are pessimistic it sees danger and tells you to slow down, be cautious, hunker down and wait it out. Alternatively when you are feeling optimistic it's saying - Be generous, explore, learn and take it all in so you can be fantastically productive. Your attitude can actually affect how you think and how your perform in a particular setting. AH-mazing!
So for all of you pessimists out there don't worry - Optimism can be learned! You can become 50% more optimistic by simply learning how to make the right choices. In effect, those right choices will signal your brain how to react, adapt and change more positively in today's competitive and sometimes stressful workplace. Are you ready? Here are the top five questions you can ask yourself in any situation:
1. What can I do to achieve the best results/outcome?
2. What are some out of the box responses that I can have to this situation?
3. What piece of knowledge do I need to know to reach a productive conclusion?
4. What can I learn from this situation that will help me in the future?
5. What is an interpretation of this event that will motivate me to continue to strive for excellence/success?
By employing strategies that allow you to put these questions into practice, you become more adept in handling any situation that might arise. When things don’t go your way, don’t waste time and energy thinking, “This always happens to me. I can never get a break.” This kind of thinking leads to inaction, helplessness, avoidance and conflict in the workplace. Instead, respond to a difficult situation by focusing your energy on areas of the situation that can be controlled. Figure out ways to solve problems creatively and appraise events objectively in order to find beneficial actions. When there is a setback or mistake, look for insights that will help you improve. And approach difficulties by looking for potential gains. (Dana Lightman PHD)
So one more piece of final advice and from an ICON to boot!
TRY IT YOU'LL LIKE IT!!
(For those of you under 35...it's a reference to a LIFE cereal commercial! Come on already!!)
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