Are You Negative?
We all know negative people can bring us down and hamper a great mood. More importantly our own negativity can have a greater effect on our personal success. Most can agree negativity isn't ideal however its difficult to notice when we are actually the Debbie/Doug Downer. With the goal of illuminating the sneaky nature of negative talk, here is a simple way to define negativity.
If what you say or think is something that you do not desire to experience in the future, you are being negative.
For example a friend says "good luck on your interview today". You respond with "Thanks, I probably won't get it".
Although you may say you are just being funny, or maybe just having low expectations so you can be pleasantly surprised. Maybe you are trying to avoid the disappointment of expectation. You could be a "realist". Whatever the reasoning for the comment if we revert back to the negative definition, we see that what was stated is not what we actually want to happen. That makes it negative.
A mind-full watch overtime will prove to any individual more times than not we live out our explications and words. You are the captain of your ship and since you are reading this, it’s a reminder to grab the wheel and turn the GPS on toward your goal.
Speak and contemplate only what you desire.
The other end of this is too much positivity. The type of thinking that causes one to live in a state of complete denial. Don’t get me wrong because I understand exactly what you're describing here. “We are what we think”. I just don’t agree with people who latch on so tightly to this philosophy that they entirely avoid anything in life that presents an association to conflict or pain. Life keeps happening no matter how positive we are.
Great advice Jason! When dealing with negativism, especially when you are on the receiving end, I have a rule of thumb I use: When I am confronted with criticism or those who are negative towards me or others I believe there is a measure of true to what they say. I think about what truth they give (no matter how hard or difficult it is to receive) me and try to change my perspective based on the truth they so gladly offer (hint of criticism). I believe we all can be more encouraging. I have told my teens for years to be the one to encourage and not discourage!