My old tag line for this blog was “Getting things done with a smile” The idea being we all have so much to do and too little time to do it in, but if we stay positive and live our lives with optimism we can be more effective and get more done.
Positivity is a powerful force, a force we cannot fully explain or understand. Quantum physicists will tell us that the world is not how we traditionally believed it to be. That somehow our minds actually can affect the reality we live. The world does not happen externally, our world is affected by each and every one of us on a daily basis.
Is it a Secret?
If this is true and I thoroughly believe it to be so, the outlook that we have whether positive or negative is affecting everything we do on a daily basis. The authors of the book the Secret will tell you what you should do to monopolize on this fact. While other speakers, thinkers and scientists will have a differing view the fact is nobody knows exactly how it works, but as Napoleon Hill wrote back in the nineteen thirties in his book Think and Grow Rich
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve”
Positive Psychology
Martin Seligman known as the father of positive psychology tells us that optimists are healthier, happier, live longer and are more productive at work.
Having a positive self-belief helps you to move forward and get things done. Less holds you back; optimism fosters enthusiasm for life and work.
So that’s all great but what if I am a pessimist by nature?
Bah humbug, if you are, rest assured there are things that you can do to become more optimistic, but a true pessimist will probably have no faith in their ability to improve optimism levels!
If you want to lose the cynicism and give happiness a go, here are a few tried and tested methods for bringing more positivity and optimism into your life
Gratitude
People’s happiness level is usually set a particular point, regardless of good or bad experiences in their lives. Even after a lotto win it doesn’t take long to return to your usually levels of happiness or unhappiness. A group of scientists claim that the trick to raising your personal levels of happiness is in the act of gratitude. The gratitude studies have unveiled that happiness levels can increase by 25% when participants participate in being thankful daily. Try to shift your focus towards what you have rather than what you don’t’ have and you may start to feel happier and more satisfied with what you have.
Living in the Present
The act of living in the present is a difficult one for human beings; our mind naturally tends to wander to past or future events. We spend our days planning and dreaming about happy occasions yet to come. We wish our lives away waiting for the weekend, the next party or holiday. But thinking about the future also brings with it our fears, and worries. Stress is created in our minds by thoughts of what may happen in the future. Stress comes from imagined scenarios. If we could stop our mind from traveling into the future and imagining negative situations we would be much happier and contented. The present moment is all we have, the past is gone the future never guaranteed. Live in the moment as much as possible and you will be happier and healthier.
Exercise
Here she goes again about the benefits of exercise, you would think I was a fitness coach with the amount of times I repeat it so once again, get off your ass and get out and exercise. It will make you happier and healthier, what more do I need to say??
There are many factors involved in Effective Leadership but I believe if you start with these three habits you are well on your way to being an effective and productive leader.
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