You need a lot of things to build a successful business. You need a vision, a plan to realize your goals, expertise, and a great team. But you also need something else and that is a positive attitude. Building your business is a journey often strewn with difficult challenges. Sometimes, the challenges and setbacks make you so frustrated, you just want to throw in the towel. However, an inherent belief and confidence that things will sort themselves out will get you through whatever you are facing and even make you stronger.
Successful business owners learn early on not to focus on the negative, but to put all their energy into moving the business ahead. You could say that they “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative,” learning from all experiences both good and bad. Here are things you can do to maintain a positive outlook.
Choose to be positive: It may sound easier said than done, but try to find a way to put a positive spin on difficult things that happen. Consider most experiences as an opportunity to learn and develop the tools to deal with adversity.
Put things in perspective: Take a step back and think about the situation. It is easy to get caught up in the moment but you need to get perspective. Sometimes things are not as bad as they first appear. Think about what happened and quickly build an action plan to keep moving ahead. You cannot change the past but you can influence the future.
Surround yourself with positive people: Some people create trauma or always see the glass as half empty. Spend as little time as possible with these types of folks. They can exhaust you. Spend time with people who are optimistic or at least do not add drama to situations.
Prioritize: Sometimes things appear negative because you forget what really matters. Identify what really matters the most and focus on making sure you accomplish goals related to them.
Pep talks help: It is okay to talk to yourself to help sort things out. Listen to what you are saying. Sometimes you just need to hear what is bothering you to figure out how to deal with it.
Celebrate success: Whenever things get difficult, think of all the things you have accomplished. Just setting up shop is a major achievement and one many people wish they could do. Keep a list if necessary and look at it when you need a boost.
Exercise: Besides the value of exercise to your physical health, exercise improves your positive state of mind. When you exercise, your brain releases a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF helps to relieve stress as do the endorphins, other chemicals released by your brain, which minimize discomfort caused by exercise, block feelings of pain and help to create a feeling of euphoria. [1]
You have heard the expression “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Maintain a positive outlook and get the pitcher ready.
[1] Widrich, Leo, “What Happens to our Brains During Exercise (And Why It Makes Us Happier),” lifehacker, August 27, 2012. https://lifehacker.com/what-happens-to-our-brains-during-exercise-and-why-it-5938216