Century Designs

Life is not all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering difficulty is not a bad thing, the main concern is the approach we take to deal with it. A positive frame of mind is significant for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to boost performance in efficiency and quality. We are typically more confident and do better when we are feeling positive and well.

I have found biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is due to increased amounts of neuro transmitters such as serotonin that regulate the efficiency capabilities of the mind. The knock effects of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not only improved mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is because of the increase to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.

The opposite is also true, when we are depressed we are a lot more liable to contracting other diseases and mental health issues. Our interaction with others decline, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can reduce. In short this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed ever so often is not uncommon but the way in which we choose to face a problem comes from our state of mind.

A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. People who think positively are more likely to see challenges as opposed to issues or possibilities as opposed to difficulties. For example, entrepreneurs that are successful often are because they are able to spot opportunities for growth in a sector which other people only see problems in. The positive mental attitude of a successful individual means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to succeed and make their dream come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The problem for many people is in developing one in the first place.

Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged fad. For ages religious men and scholars alike searched for and developed ways to harness an inner tranquility. While this may have begun to make mankind closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant in the present day. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only lead us in to ways of being that are a detriment to our lives. Monks realised this long ago which is why they devote themselves to a life of abstinence and mental and spiritual fulfilment.

Among the easiest ways to determine your frame of mind is to consider how you are with other people. A good way to do this is to picture how you behave towards people you do not know. Are you confident and open to meeting and talking with people? Or are you insular and shy. Believe it or not one of the best ways to get over a negative frame of mind is to change your mindset towards the world around you and that means the people in it also. If you are generally awkward around other people then try this experiment.

One night force yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not be concerned about how you look or appear or what you discuss. A reference in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.

You see, the way you are with others will have an effect on the opportunities you get presented. Think about it like this who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equal ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with people and the other is laid back and comfortable with people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.

Do you suffer from a negative frame of mind? If so check out Quentin’s blog on Overcoming social anxiety.