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THE MAGIC OF POSITIVE THINKING IN CAREER AND BUSINESS

SO HOW DO I GO POSITIVE ? 
Most people have heard of the book by Norman Vincent Peal – The Power of Positive Thinking ..... but people usually associate this with positive thinking in the personal space. How many apply the power of positive thinking to their work / business?
As a contractor, consultant, freelancer or micro / small business owner, managing your business can be stressful, and it is very important to maintain a positive attitude in everything you do in relation to your business. It can be the difference between success and failure. You will find it easier to manage if your attitude is that every issue or problem is actually an opportunity. In four simple words "believe that you can!"
As Sir Winston Churchill once said "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference".
How often do you hear people complaining about their customers? They forget that without customers they don't have a business!
Generally speaking, if a person is normally positive in their manner, they are more likely to be perceived by others as friendly. This is critical in business, as negative energy transmits far quicker than positive energy, resulting in the other party (ie your customer) immediately putting up barriers – bad for business!
Do a simple test, smile at everyone you deal with and see what reaction you get? Cultivating a positive environment for yourself and people you work with is important, and will lead to a better result than can be achieved in an all too easily created negative environment. When a person is positive, the challenges they face seem less significant. 
The key is to focus on objective and logical thinking, rather than self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk - or inside voices. If you succeed in doing this you will develop a greater ability to deal effectively with difficult situations. If you can strengthen your positive traits in business you are likely to deliver improved performance.

What is Positive Thinking?

Some say that it is a person's capability to produce desired results from positive thoughts, or the mental attitude that expects good things to happen. These thoughts and images are conducive to growth, expansion and success.

What Sort of Attitude do You Have and How do You Change it if You Discover it is Negative?

  1. Test your attitude. There are many on-line self-tests available – just try an internet search on "test your attitude". Also, simply observe yourself and your situations, and then honestly evaluate yourself.
  2. If you are "positive" then keep being that way. If you discover you are "negative", then take responsibility for this and take control and change your thinking and actions.
  3. To really change your thinking, start by looking at yourself over a period of time. Observing yourself is the best way to see how you might be with others, and how they may perceive you to be. This also includes observing your ‘inside voices' or your ‘self-talk'. As an easy example, if you think you cannot do something, chances are you won't be able to; and if you think you can, chances are you will. Once you acknowledge your subconscious thinking, you can start to change or remove the detrimental ones and replacing them with positive ones.
  4. Come up with an action plan on how you are going to change your responses – after all, this is all your observed actions / inside voices are.
  5. Replace your bad habits, it just takes practice. Positive attitude leads to better self-management and enables you to reach your potential.

Traits of Positive Thinkers

Positive people share some common traits, including:
  • Strong sense of belief in themselves and others
  • Confidence
  • Patience and empathy
  • Enthusiasm
  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Focus
  • Optimism
  • Integrity
Do you demonstrate these traits? If not, then you are not reaching your full potential.

Staying Positive in Business

Not everyone can become an entrepreneur and run a business. It requires a certain personality and confidence. Not surprisingly, successful businesses are usually run by positive people. Staying positive in all aspects of your life will bring you benefit. In the business context, staying positive will help you realise your company goals and will also help you keep things in context or perspective. Staying on the bright side will help you solve problems and come up with ideas to overcome issues.
Some of the business benefits from staying positive include:
  • Fosters teamwork
  • Fosters a culture of success
  • Fosters problem solving
  • Improves quality of life in the workspace
  • Increases profit, as this tends to go hand in hand with success
  • Makes for a pleasant work experience
  • Reduces stress
  • Fosters better relationships with all the people you do business with

Simple Steps to Improving Your Positivity in the Workplace

  1. Set yourself goals
  2. Observe yourself and take corrective steps if you are not being positive. i.e. eliminate the negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones
  3. Make positive business affirmations
  4. See yourself winning in business / work
  5. Assess your results and make improvements
  6. Take action
The true secret to your success are your expectations!

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