Over the millennia, centuries and decades, the values of positive speaking and positive actions have been explored by scientists, communicators and apologists alike. This month of May affords BizVid Communications, San Diego County’s leading video production company, the opportunity to revisit this topic, highlighting key points and quotes which should inspire greater success within organizations like yours. As such, we present this blog theme for using the term “May” versus suggesting that you “May Not” be able to do thus-and-so.
May we begin?
Whether your people are communicating within your ranks or to customers, to clientele, or to prospects, by suggesting that you may assuredly be able to help them with even the most challenging task will open the door of relationship wider. Conversely, by cautioning that you “may not” be able to help closes that door even ever-so-slightly. So, for the sake of your organization’s growing success, don’t be closed minded.
As long as it is not underhanded or illegal, even if the request or need seems impossible to your employee, their positive disposition bodes well for them and you. Making absolute promises can be dangerous if you don’t deliver. But, extending the possibility of success, identifies your employee and company as a proactive friend, rather than a nay-sayer.
What science says about a positive attitude.
A recent article, Mark Guidi, MSE, MSOD, Management Consultant, quoted a review, published in the Psychological Bulletin. This publication spoke of studies of over 275,000 people and found that the happiest people owe their success, in part, to their optimism and positive outlook. Dr. Lyubomirsky, head researcher from UC Riverside concluded, “When people feel happy, they tend to feel confident, optimistic and energetic and others find them likeable and sociable. Happy people are thus able to benefit from these perceptions.
To many, this study proved that happiness makes you successful rather than success making you happy.
What communicators say about a positive attitude.
An article presented by PositivePsycology.com offered insight determining “Why is a Positive Attitude Considered the Key to Success?” The publication found that awareness and integrity are linked to better quality of life, and acceptance and gratitude can take you from the “okay life” to the “good life.”
They determined that there is significant importance tied to establishing right thinking. Developing a truly positive mindset and gaining these benefits is a function of the thoughts you cultivate.
The article concluded for the reader not to worry, that this isn’t about the kind of positive thinking that is all positive, all the time. They explained that they don’t claim that just “thinking happy thoughts” will bring you all the success you desire in life, and they certainly don’t believe that optimism is warranted in every situation, every minute of the day.
Developing the right thoughts is not about being constantly happy or cheerful, and it’s not about ignoring anything negative or unpleasant in your life. It’s about incorporating balance into your perspective and choosing to still be generally optimistic.
It’s about acknowledging that you will not always be happy and learning to navigate bad moods and difficult emotions when they come.
Above all, they concluded, it’s about increasing your control over your own attitude in the face of whatever comes your way. You cannot control your mood, and you cannot always control the thoughts that pop into your head, but you can choose how you handle them.
When you choose to give in to the negativity, pessimism, and doom-and-gloom view of the world, you are not only submitting to a loss of control and potentially wallowing in unhappiness—you are missing out on an important opportunity for growth and development.
According to positive psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, negative thinking, and negative emotions have their place: they allow you to sharpen your focus on dangers, threats, and vulnerabilities. This is vital for survival, although perhaps not as much as it was for our ancestors.
On the other hand, positive thinking and positive emotions “broaden and build” our resources and skills and open us up to possibilities.
Building a positive framework for your thoughts is not about being bubbly and annoyingly cheerful but making an investment in yourself and your future. It’s okay to feel down or think pessimistically sometimes, but choosing to respond with optimism, resilience, and gratitude will benefit you far more in the long run.
What apologists say about being positive.
In an article published last November, Lay Cistercians of South Florida took an even “higher” point of view from what science could offer. In an article introducing Bible Verses on Positive Attitude, they began by saying the following: What many people don’t realize is that a positive attitude is also a sign of our faith in God. You see, when you trust God, nothing can scare you. No matter how dire the situation may seem, you will always see the silver lining…
Note these verses which support that claim.
- A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25
- Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25
- Life and death are in the power of the tongue— are brought upon men by the good or bad use of their tongues; and they that love it — namely, the tongue; that love much talking; shall eat the fruit thereof — shall receive either good or evil according to the quality of their speeches. – Proverbs 18:21.
May’s closing thought.
Here’s a challenge from BizVid Communications, one of this nation’s, this states and the San Diego countywide video production leader. Scour our website and let us know how many “may not” references you can find. Upon concluding your search, we think you will discover our “can do” attitude. We believe this is one of the main reasons for our ongoing success. It will be a reason for your increased success, as well. Here’s to your most productive “May” ever experienced.
The End