The power of positive thinking

Positive thinking is something we hear about a lot when it comes to promoting healthy workplace culture. In popular culture, we can access a plethora of self-help books, positivity podcasts and evidence-based online content that all go some way towards highlighting the value of looking on the bright side. But what does it mean to think positively and frame our thinking around a glass half full? In this article, we are going to look at how positive thinking can be established in the workplace and wider lifestyle.

What is positive thinking?

Positive thinking is often associated with smiley faces and over-enthusiastic body language. But what does it actually mean to practice positive thinking?

When we think positively, we approach every situation with a ‘can-do’ attitude. Instead, assuming the worst can set us off to a negative start before we’ve even started! A negative lens means we are more inclined to recognise the downsides and it’s trickier to take the good from otherwise challenging situations.

Positive thinking aims to reduce this sense of negativity by approaching situations from a new perspective that considers the benefits of a new situation or change above its downfalls.

The famous saying, “a glass half full” embodies this sentiment of positive thinking by appreciating it from an optimistic perspective before considering the cons of the situation. This should not be confused with a sense of optimism that is blind to reality. Positive thinking does not mean to be naïve, or to completely disregard unwanted thoughts and consequences, but instead refers to how you view things initially, which truly makes all the difference to our offset in entering a new situation or challenge.

Evidence shows us that positive thinking has an impact not only on our minds but our bodies too and has  a direct benefit to our cardiovascular health reducing associated risks. When it comes to our career pathways and workplaces, positive thinking has been shown to benefit your chances of employment and is linked to higher staff retention too. By increasing our sense of self and establishing confidence in who we are and what we do, positive thinking frameworks are important factors not only to what we say but also to our body language and written communication. Establishing a strong mindset that is geared towards the positive helps create this consistency across everything we do.

Positive thinking: how to get there 

Appreciating the small things 

Positive thinking isn’t about resolving our greatest challenges, nor it is about grand gestures and big wins. Instead, use positive thinking strategies like marginal gains to develop your own confident approach to the everyday. By overcoming small challenges and putting a positive lens on our routine lives, we can establish a ‘can-do’ approach default and continue to grow as it becomes more normative to think ‘glass half full.’

Surround yourself with positive people 

Creating a network of like-minded, positive people who appreciate the value of a pragmatic and optimistic outlook are key for nurturing your own attitude and implementing positive thinking in every aspect of your life. Work colleagues who encourage you to develop and have a strong belief in your capabilities add an incredible value to your mindset in the workplace. Equally, a supportive network within your home life provides a safe space for those challenging moments where you might need a little help from your friends.

All about growth 

Growth mindsets are all about finding solutions and working positively to improve when we find things challenging. The idea that we are constantly able to grow and develop our skills is intrinsic to positive thinking. Dwelling on the problems when something goes wrong is not conducive to making change, but establishing a strong growth mindset and positive outlook gives us the opportunity to tackle hurdles head on and continue with success.

Balancing act

It's important to think about positive thinking in a balanced way to maximise its potential and remember that we don’t have to be overly smiley and enthusiastic 24/7 – it really is okay to not be okay. Toxic positivity can be defined as the assumption that we should always have a positive outlook, even if we are in emotional or physical pain. Whilst looking on the bright side of tricky situations can be incredibly helpful in most cases, it is necessary to consider how this can sometimes appear to be pressuring for individuals who might be contending with additional stress factors that make it difficult to remain positive.

Ending on a positive note...

Positive thinking isn’t about thinking the good of everything all the time. It’s about recognising when things are challenging and learning how to reframe our approach in facing them with the best outlook possible. By thinking positively, we can overcome problems with a realistic yet optimistic outset that develops our problem-solving and creative analysis skills and self-esteem in the workplace and beyond. Think about the ways you can make a positive change to the rest of your day today.

Explore some of our member resources in career pathways to learn more about positive mindsets!