How to Be Positive During Tough Times

I almost Hate the US for what it has gotten the us in to.

Well we'll see what happens nrxt

m.jK: k; lzkuzkuhui of CA @ Oct 11, 2008 14:30:46 PM

Agree 100%

I loved this article, it is absolutely true for the most part. Many times people find themselves in work envioronments that need change, but even in these cases a person is better equiped to deal with the challenges of the work place or to make a decision to change jobs when their attitude is positive.

The thing about negativity is that it doesn't just sap a person's energy it also diminishes a person's ability to think logically and clearly. If you are truly a negative person, you probably do not see that you are negative. I have read the comments that say this article is simplistic and I wish those people who think this would actually try to keep track of their negative thoughts and change them or let them pass without dwelling on them. There is nothing simple about that. For someone like me who grew up in a home full of non-stop negative popoganda this is hard work, but absolutely worth it!

I cannot express adequetly how much better I feel about myself, how much more clear my thinking is, or how much happier I am since I started working on positivity. I think having a lot of unresolved issues and bitterness also keeps people in negative thought spirals.

The truth is, over-analysing things so we can blame someone else for our misery is a complicated intellectual exercise that comes easily to many people. Becoming aware of your personal issues and thought patterns so you can deal with these things is hard work.

Thank you for this article. I loved it!

Angela of VA @ Oct 05, 2008 19:02:03 PM

over simplification?

Although I agree with the basic premise of this article, I think it is an over simplication. All of the onus of a negative culture is presented to be caused by disgruntled employees on the lower rungs of the corporate ladder. What about bad and or unfair management? Unrealistic job expectations? Practices and policies that might limit an employees best performance ? With every work scenario there are conditions which might cause negativity within the ranks. We need to fight for a fair and just work place for everyone. Standing up for injustice is difficult. It takes courage. But -- its easier to be positive if one is valued and feels as if they are contributing to the success of everyone in the group.

Suzanne of CA @ Aug 09, 2008 14:10:11 PM

It's all up to the individual

Wonderful article Jon. Ultimately, it's up to each individual not to sweat the small stuff. I tell my kids, it you don't like the way your life is going, it's within your power to change it. So do it. Elaine Williams

http://www.ajourneywelltaken.com

Elaine Williams of NY @ Aug 04, 2008 09:56:51 AM

ON BEING POSITIVE

DEAR JON...AS A PROFESSOR OF DESIGN, NOW RETIRED BUT, STILL TEACHING, PRO BONO FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO SEND ME A CC OF YOUR BOOK FOR USE IN MY STUDIO LIBRARY?... AS A PROFESSOR OF HEALTH FACILITIES DESIGN AND PLANNING.....LIKE YOU I HAVE FOUND IN MY 55 YEARS O TEACHING AND PRACTICE THAT BEING CRITICLY-POSITIVE WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS OF PROBLEMS (CHALLENGES) ON OFFER WAS A SURE SIGN OF PERSONAL GROWTH AS WELL AS WITHIN MY STUDENTS AS INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS... AND YES, CLIENT ORGANISATIONS.....

DR.JOS.J. MC GRAW

1127 WLLBORN RD.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840

DR. JOSEPH J. MC GRAW of TX @ Aug 02, 2008 09:06:12 AM

The Cost of Negativity

The negative comments about this article are the very reason why I do the work i do and why i wrote the No Complaining Rule. Not only does negativity exists but it destroys organizations, teams and careers....and from the comments i read i'd say it destroys optimism too. The gentlemen who said that the article sounded like standard consultant pep talk should talk to the organizations and companies and NFL teams i have worked with. You want real results you'll find them when a leader develops a positive culure and engages his employees. You'll find them when we stop whining and start looking for solutions. I'm not asking anyone to settle and accept the status quo. Governement needs to do a much better job and businesses and leaders need to create positive work environments where people can perform at a higher level. And I'm certainly not saying employees should not complain when something is wrong. For the entire story and solution read the book. I don't expect you to pay for it. Just go to the library and read it there. You'll find that the goal is to turn complaints into solutions. To utlize our complaints to take positive action. To focus on what you can control and not let what you can't control ruin your life and happiess. And to the woman who said that my advice was child's play you should read the letters I receive from teachers, students, employees, leaders and Mom's and Dads who have made signifcant positive changes in thier lives because of the "simple" positive message I shared with them. You think it has to be complicated but it doesn't. The closer we get to truth the simpler and more powerful the lessons become. If you don't believe me give it a shot. What do you have to lose? Nothing except your negativity. I'll send you a book and even coach you pro-bono. What do you say?

Jon Gordon of FL @ Aug 02, 2008 00:18:28 AM

Accommodation or Negativity?

You had me for a couple of paragraphs, but all of the examples are simple accommodation. Everyone is capable of accommodation, but when a long standing pattern is recognized, the accommodation seldom produces a positive attitude through a consistently negative environment.

Work in an environment where people are expected to be busy every minute, and you get people that act like they are busy. When people are expected to be unhappy because there is a lot of work to do, you get people that act like they are unhappy regardless of the workload.

The expectation that people can benefit through what they do at work has to real, or the employer will have a real problem motivating employees. That's when consultants get hired to fix the problem they can not solve. Sounds like a standard consultant pep talk to me.

People certainly can decide to be happy, but not by lying to themselves about reality.

Don of SC @ Aug 01, 2008 00:17:00 AM

No negativity

I agree with being grateful. When we focus on what we can appreciate in life it diminishes the pain of many things. However, I would like to think that there is more than just saying: You are working longer and getting paid less, but be thankful you have a job or you can work. Or, you must work well past retirement, so be thankful you have the health to work, while so many others cannot. This is child's play. Eat your food because someone in this world is starving. I am looking for something more meaningful. Each time I visit this childlike school of thought I become angry. Complacency comes to mind. We as a culture have let the ball roll in a direction that has been a detriment to ourselves. When will we stop listening to simplistic ideas that do nothing but gloss over and allow it to go on???

Jacqueline Hess of FL @ Jul 31, 2008 14:22:56 PM