Times are tough at the moment and it's sometimes hard to stay positive when we continue to hear of new COVID-19 cases every day. When the economy is suffering like never before, and many businesses are barely surviving. There are no easy solutions, there's no panacea, but hopefully this article will help you get your feet onto some solid ground.
Being positive doesn't mean "head-in-the-sand everything's going to be fine" behaviour in the face of difficult circumstances. It does, however, mean looking beyond your current circumstances to the bigger picture. It's about being proactive with your life, and practicing positive behaviours so that when those tough times arrive, your ability to stay positive will be easier and more natural.
Know Where You're Going
Review your business plan and goals in light of the pandemic. Being confident in your goals and direction will help you to stay focused and on track when others question your strategies or decisions.
Choose Your Point of View Every Day
How you feel in the first five minutes after you wake up in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. We all have around 900-minutes each day, some people use them more effectively. Wake up, smile, and then focus on something positive immediately. Train yourself to start your day with a positive attitude and you will start to see things go better. You are in total control of how your day will pan out.
Be Willing to Accept Change
Change is inevitable – it affects us every day. Current events are particularly challenging because everything is changing daily. If you become the kind of person who welcomes change and looks for opportunities, you'll be able to sustain a more positive outlook. Remember, going through periods of change helps us to grow. Take time out to reflect on what you are learning during these times of extreme change.
Live with Humour
Don't take things so seriously. Life is full of reasons to laugh, and if you look for them, you'll find them even in difficult circumstances. Incorporate laughter into your life every day.
Learn to Play
Running a business is hard work. It takes time and energy, and there will be days when you feel as if you don't have an ounce left to give. But, if you don't find time to play you'll find yourself burned out and ready to quit. Life is too short not to play once in a while.
Reward Yourself
When things go well in your business or personal life, reward yourself. If you have ever had a good boss, you will remember the words of appreciation, the pat on the back, or the small bonus. If you are your own boss – be a good one. Give yourself rewards based on what you have achieved; getting a small order might warrant a latte at the local coffee shop and half-hour of people watching. A bigger achievement might result in a bottle of champagne shared with your spouse. As entrepreneurs we have to sweat the small stuff, so reward the small advances you make too!
Choose Your Fellow Travellers Carefully
You have a choice who you spend your time with. Is your life full of people who whine and complain and feed on negativity? Or do you spend time with people who inspire you, lift you up and encourage you, make you laugh, help you to see the good things in life, and energize you with their presence? It's your choice. You become the company you keep.
Live By Your Own Code
Compromise kills your positivity more than you can imagine. When you behave in a way that is counter to your values, your spirit takes a beating. Don't allow others to determine how you will or won't behave, or impact your decisions in ways that are contrary to what you believe. Be true to yourself and go to bed every night proud of how you have lived. Figure out what your code is and when you do, positivity will be your reward.
The state the world is in today is enough to depress anyone. If you aren't determined to rise above current circumstances, you might be in danger of succumbing to them. Make it your choice to build positive things into your life, so when you are hit with difficulties, you'll be more effective at staying positive. |