This was a big weekend for College Football as the NCAA Conference Champions were determined. Watching these games was great fun, and most exciting. Additionally, I found it interesting that there was a noticeable difference in personalities and attitudes between the winning and losing teams. It may have been subtle but it was noticeable.
I was reminded of teams I have worked with. The successful teams were always more enthusiastic and positive about success. They exuded 'esprit de corps'. Stated another way, I cannot remember being part of a successful team composed of negative people. Likewise, I cannot remember hiring anyone to be on one of my teams who weren’t enthusiastic about the project.
Anyone can maintain a positive attitude when things are going well. That's easy. The momentum of the situation can carry one forward. The challenge is to maintain a positive attitude during stressful times. When facing difficulties, a positive attitude can be the difference between a success and failure. Have you ever met a goal while harboring negative thoughts about your ability to achieve that goal? Probably not. Your attitude makes a difference! Job search is a stressful time, as we encounter a lot of rejection and fear for our financial future.
Proponents of Neural Linguistic Programming (NLP) say that your words and thoughts program your mind to behave in a corresponding way. In other words, negative thoughts result in negative outcomes and positive thoughts result in positive outcomes. What’s more effective, asking somebody to remember something or saying don’t forget something? Your mind hears 'remember' and 'forget' and responds accordingly. So, align your thoughts, actions, and speech toward your desired outcome and suppress negative thoughts. A related concept is "The Law of Attraction," made famous by "The Secret." This concept states that our thoughts and feelings create our experiences and that we create a reality based on those thoughts. Whatever you concentrate on, pay attention to, focus on, or dwell upon, is drawn to you for better or worse. It also means that you should be clear on your desired outcome. If "you are what you eat" is appropriate for dieting, then "you are what you think," is appropriate for achieving a positive outcome. Concentrate on being positive. Concentrate on success.
Concern and worry are two possible responses to difficulties. Recognizing the risks of a difficult situation, i.e. concern, while taking responsibly for corrective actions is the positive approach. The difficult situation is viewed as a challenge, a learning experience. Worry, on the other hand, is unproductive. It is focused on negative outcomes without taking responsibility or appropriate remedial action. Worry creates more stress and potential health issues.
Maintaining a positive attitude is a choice. You should remember the situation is part of your life but does not define your life.
Principles to maintain a positive attitude:
- Chose to become a positive person
- Focus on Successful Outcomes
- Know that you create your reality
- Difficult situations are opportunities to learn and grow
- Use positive language your keep your thoughts positive
- Garbage In - Garbage Out
- Be grateful
Strategies to maintain a positive attitude:
- Begin your day with positive affirmations, meditation, reading
- Exercise, it's natures happiness drug
- Use audio-video resources to reinforce positive messages
- Associate with positive people - avoid emotional drags
- Express your appreciation
- Defeat negative thinking as those thoughts occur
- Take care of yourself (healthy eating, enough sleep, and exercise)
- Change your response or avoid stressful situations
- Change the paradigm
- Avoid Television News Programs
The benefits of a positive attitude:
- You attract positive people
- You become more relaxed and at peace with yourself.
- You develop and enhance your sense of empathy
- You achieve positive outcomes
Unless you develop a strategy to nullify the pain of rejection, job search success will be difficult. Remember it isn’t personal. Consider rejection a gift that you do not wish to take. No one can hurt you unless you let them.
Maintaining a positive attitude during difficult times isn't easy. It takes effort and needs constant reinforcement. However, it is a choice that will serve you well. Following the principles and strategies presented in this post will result in optimal outcomes. Think success, be successful.
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Jim Weber, Managing Partner
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
Current Assignments
1. COO- Northeast-based Casual Dining Restaurant Company - New
2. Operating Partners - Legacy Pizza Chain - New
2. Operating Partners - Legacy Pizza Chain - New
3. Director of Biz Dev, Atlanta-based B2B Professional Services Company: Completed
4. Payroll-Benefits Manager, Atlanta-based Retail Company: Complete
5. Senior Accounting Manager – Atlanta-based Manufacturer. Complete
6. Controller - Atlanta-based Consumer Products - Digital Company - Completed
6. Controller - Atlanta-based Consumer Products - Digital Company - Completed
7. Outplacement Assignment - Atlanta-based Manufacturer: Complete
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