Coaches Corner: How to Stay Positive in Tough Times
By Jane Weddle
Look around—times are tough right now.
The economy has impacted our 401 K’s, jobs, our businesses,
our buying power and people we know have lost jobs--the list could
go on!
So how does one stay positive in tough times! After all
research shows that staying positive improves productivity stress
management and our health. Last week watching Michael J.
Fox’s new show “The Adventures of an Incurable
Optimist”, I was able to see several stories where people are
finding ways to stay positive in this tough time.
In producing the special, they found that there is a genetic
marker for optimism. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field of
optimism, said even if you aren't born an optimist, you can learn
to become one. Whether you tend to lean more towards the
side of optimism or lean more towards the side of pessimism we all
still face the challenge of staying positive when tough times
hit. For us optimist types we do have an
advantage. For pessimistic people, Seligman
states it can be done—it just takes a little more effort to
stay positive and you have to be more mindful of your
thoughts!
So here are 8 ways to stay positive when times are
tough—in no particular order and some ideas came from asking
people the question-“What are you doing to stay positive at
work/home during these tough times?”
1)
Give Back. A Health Care Account Manager told
me that “Sometimes it’s not all about me; I gear my
thoughts on how I can make a difference in someone's life on a
daily basis.” So one idea is to take time and make a
difference in someone’s life—who could benefit from a
random act of kindness that you know?
2)
Practice with affirmations: This is a way to
program you subconscious mind with positivity. To change negative
thinking into positive thinking. Instead of
saying—“I am losing so much money in my retirement
investments”—change it to “I am able to buy low
at this time which will result in a gain long
term.” Write down 5 positive affirmations and say them 3
times a day!
3)
Read the Daily Motivator— www.greatday.com A
friend of mine told me about this site 2 years ago and I make it a
habit to go in everyday and read the daily message and it helps me
to keep moving forward!
4)
List your Positive Buttons---make a list of things
that keep you positive when triggered—a take off of the
“old hot button exercise”. Find a way
to have those positive buttons show up on a regular basis
either by an act on your part or from the help of a friend or
family member!
5)
Dance like no one is watching! My good friend
and co-author of the book Stomp the Elephant in the
Office, Steven Vannoy-- gave me this tip! When feeling
low—close the door and DANCE with or without music! Tip
from personal experience—works really well with the Mamma Mia
Soundtrack!
6)
Forward Focus Questions---Create 3 x 5 cards with
questions to ask yourself to help keep you moving forward at what
is working vs. the backward focus questions that keep us stuck or
bring us down. Put those cards in places that would be most
helpful for you—the visor of your vehicle, next to your
computer monitor, etc. Examples: What is
working? What did I learn today that would be of
value? What went well? What are my 3 greatest strengths
in my life?
7)
Get Active—studies show that your brain gets
marinated in powerful positive endorphins when your heart rate goes
up. Go for a walk, go to the gym, get a partner and play a
game of Wii bowling, golf, etc.
8)
Take a “news fast”—the media can
really hit us hard with negative messaging and catastrophic
thinking. If you’re a big news watcher or
reader. Give yourself a break for awhile!
