Do you know the ultimate infection that cripples your success? A negative mindset.
A negative mindset or negative self-talk limits what an individual can do. In any given situation, people who have a negative mindset will say things like:
- "It may be possible, but I can't do it."
- "It can't be done."
- "It’s full of problems."
If you are aiming for success in anything you do, then you have to find ways to shift negative self-talk into positive.
David Lynch once said:
Negativity is the enemy of creativity.
This quote is valid in all aspects of life.
Here's some solid proof:
According to an article published by the National Science Foundation in 2005, the average person has a maximum of 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative ones.
That's 48,0000 negative thoughts every day!
But what does this number mean for entrepreneurs and leaders like you? The answer is simple - you need a game plan to turn negative self-talk into positive self-talk.
Today's article will teach you how to achieve this.
I want to start by covering a few effects of negative self-talk.
The Impacts of a Negative Mindset
1 in 5 or 43.8 million adults in the United States will experience mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Mix the pressure of doing business with these stats, and the results are UNIMAGINABLE!
In this section, I will talk about how a negative mindset can impact you...
It Makes You Feel Down
Small business owners go through many lows in both their personal and business life. Although problems in both aspects are nothing but normal, there’s one culprit that triggers them to quit eventually - a negative mindset.
Pressure in business leads to negative self-talk, which then results in quitting. Quitting can lead to self-blame or regret, which can result in depression.
Depression, without proper help and support, can be a real problem.
It Negatively Impacts Those Around You
Negativity is a contagious disease-like emotion that affects everything and everyone in an organization.
Based on a study by biophysicist Alison Hill of Harvard University,
A #NegativeMindset circulates like a contagious disease at home, in school, and most notably in the workplace.
So what exactly happens when a business owner projects negativity within the workplace or even outside?
That negativity can spread like cancer through your entire organization. Not good...
It's a Waste of Time
One valuable business resource that a negative mindset affects is time.
When there’s too much negativity happening in your head, you get stuck in limbo. You fail to do what you are supposed to do at the moment. You waste time.
How many hours have you wasted coming up with your 48,000 negative thoughts a day?
How much time can you save thinking the other way around?
These are rhetorical questions, but worth thinking about.
It Causes Unnecessary Anxiety
Do you hate to fear or worry about anything? I know I do!
Negative self-talk creates unnecessary anxiety, and too much of it can lead to social anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
Unnecessary anxiety in the workplace can limit your activities and can make it hard for you to enjoy work.
It Impacts Your Health and Well Being
A negative mindset affects your health and well being.
The mind-body connection is a real thing! A negative mindset can lead to issues within your body.
Here are a few examples of health and wellness problems triggered by a negative mindset:
- heart-related diseases
- depression
- cynicism
- metabolism issues
- hormone release problems
It Kills Your Confidence and Self-esteem
Zero confidence and low self-esteem are the domino effects of a negative mindset.
You tirelessly doubt yourself when you are a pessimist. Your skills, talents, abilities, and capabilities are all crippled when you think negatively.
As a result, you lose confidence in yourself, which can have a massive consequence for your business.
It Hinders You From What You Want to Accomplish
According to a study by Russell Johnson of Michigan State University,
Negative-minded workers are more likely to become mentally fatigued and defensive and experience a drop-off in production.
If you are a pessimist, you become unproductive; you fail to do what you need to do; you miss deadlines; you fail to meet your goals — all due to a negative mindset.
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How to Shift a Negative Mindset
Shifting a negative mindset into positive requires determination, self-awareness, and action. It requires you to do the work.
Having a positive mindset can help you become a more effective leader.
Here are a few tips on how to focus on positivity instead of negativity...
Increase Your Self Awareness
A lot of small business owners are so distracted by what’s going on around them. They react to negative situations unconsciously and don’t have anything to aim for in their personal or business life.
Increasing self-awareness is about recognizing your negative thoughts or feelings at any given moment and what your true desires are for your chosen field.
Doing so is a very effective way of getting rid of a negative mindset because you can't fix something you aren't aware of.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How badly do I criticize myself?
- Do I have more negative thoughts than positive?
- What are my goals?
- What practices hold me back from moving forward?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses?
These questions can help make you more aware of your negativity so that you can work on being a more positive person and leader.
Use Daily Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that help you challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts.
Here are a few examples of affirmations:
- I am successful!
- I can do this!
- I enjoy working with my team!
- I am excellent at what I do!
- I will be a leader in my organization!
When you affirm daily and believe in them wholeheartedly, you will undoubtedly make positive changes in your life.
One tip to try is to write a daily affirmation statement.
Here's how:
- Step 1: Think about the parts of your life or business that you would like to change.
- Step 2: Be sure that your affirmation is credible and achievable.
- Step 3: Write down the negative thought and choose an affirmation that addresses .it
- Step 4: Always write your affirmation statement in the present tense.
- Step 5: Write your affirmations with emotions.
Find Things to Be Grateful for Every Day
Although doing business is not always a bed of roses, there are things that entrepreneurs can be grateful for every single day.
Here are a few examples of them:
- You get to do what you love.
- You work with exciting people.
- You compete with no one but yourself.
- You have financial freedom.
- You have the power to hire the smartest people possible.
Focus on Your Strengths
Focusing on your strengths, like your talents and skills, is very important in switching from a negative mindset to positive.
Why?
Because people who focus on their strengths:
- Are happier, healthier, more confident, more creative, and agile at work.
- Experience less stress.
- Feel more satisfied with their lives.
- Experience faster growth and development.
- Feel more satisfied and experience more meaning in their work.
- Are more engaged in their work.
Complain Less
The main reasons why we complain are because of fear and being helpless, and complaining has become a habit for a lot of people.
It has to stop because it is harmful to ourselves and our business, and it is annoying to those around us, plus it’s merely an outlet for a negative mindset.
When you complain there are really two scenarios: one, you can do something about what you are complaining about, or two, you can't do anything to fix what you are complaining about.
Keeping this in mind, following this process when you find yourself complaining may be helpful:
Scenario 1: You can actually do something about the situation you are complaining about.
- Step 1: Ask yourself, "can I do anything about the situation I am complaining about?"
- Step 2: If the answer is "yes," then stop complaining and focus on what you can do to make the situation better.
Scenario 2: You can't do anything about the situation you are complaining about.
- Step 1: Ask yourself, "can I do anything about the situation I am complaining about?"
- Step 2: If the answer is "no," then stop complaining, move on, and focus on something more positive.
Get Rid of Negative Mindset by Smiling or Laughing
One of my favorite sayings is...
Laughter is the best medicine.
I apply it in my business whenever needed. Just like negativity, smiling or laughing is a contagious gesture that can affect everyone around you.
Here are simple ways to help you smile or laugh whenever you need it:
- Watch funny films, TV, online videos, and theater shows.
- Spend time with people that make you happy.
- Find things to smile or laugh about.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Jim Rohn once said:
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
So if you spend time with people with the same negative mindset, then you probably have the same mindset.
At work, spend time with people who are productive, confident, happy, and generally positive so that you can catch the same energy.
Take Responsibility
To get rid of a negative mindset, one must learn how to take ownership in times of difficulties.
The go-to person in a business is the one who knows when to take responsibility when needed. If you are the type of entrepreneur who takes ownership, then people will look up to you.
Here are a few tips on how to take responsibility:
- Accomplish your tasks when needed.
- When you commit a mistake, take ownership.
- Do your job because it's the right thing to do.
- Do the jobs no one else wants.
- Never make excuses.
Take Action
Everything that I mentioned above is useless if you don't act on them.
The difference between being positive and negative is taking action. It is one of the reasons why businesses succeed.
If you have had a negative mindset for a very long time now, then it's high time to get up and ACT!
And that's it, folks! I hope you find these tips helpful in shifting your negative mindset (if you have one).
I repeat; it takes determination and perseverance to become a positive thinker. By the way, no one things positively all the time! It's more about minimizing the impact of any negative self-talk you have.
Believe that you can be positive and then do the work, and you will become a positive thinker in no time.
Check out the resources below to learn more about other topics related to a negative mindset.
Recommended Resources
Why You Need a Growth Mindset Badly
How to Change Your Mindset to See Problems as Opportunities
3 Simple Steps to Stop Negative Thinking
So what do you think about this important topic? Did you find this article helpful?
Don't forget to drop any of your comments below.
We'd be honored if you feel this article is worth sharing too!
PUSH THROUGH YOUR REVENUE ROADBLOCKS!
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Gain clarity and understanding. You'll leave your discovery call knowing where to focus your marketing efforts right now to get the best return on your investment.
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