Optimist or Pessimist?
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Is your glass half full or half empty?
I like to think that my glass is half full, but the skeptic in me wants to know who drank the other half.
Being optimistic can make a big difference to our health and our work
But sometimes we all go to the dark side.
I had my hand on the door handle at Starbucks and I look down at the newly purchased cup of coffee and I thought; Should I get one of the green stoppers, that stop the coffee from spilling?
But, It was 10 feet back and the Barista looked kind of busy, so I headed to my car.
As I sat in the driver’s seat, I spilled coffee all down my shirt and tie. I had to rush back to my Hotel, iron a new shirt and select a tie and make my 9am appointment.
Here is my question: Did I spill my coffee because I thought about the possibility of it spilling? Was it a negative self-fulfilling prophecy?
I was walking into a prospect meeting with a sales person and she turned to me and said “I don’t think we are going to get this deal” I said “Well why don’t you stay in the car because I think I am going to get it and I don’t need you holding me back”
We all get those times when we let negative self talk get the better of us and it either leads us to spill our coffee or under-perfom in meetings.
The next time you catch yourself having negative thoughts like:
“This meeting is not going to go well”
“This person is not going to like me”
Try these three simple approaches:
1. Counter the negative with positive thoughts
Tuning into to negative self-talk and realizing how much you do is an important first step.
Once you catch yourself, come up with two positive thoughts for every negative one you have
2. Focus on things that you do really well
Thinking about your strengths is a good way to banish the negativity.
Think back to a time when you performed at a high level.
3. Think of things that you are grateful for
For me, the things I am most grateful for are things that I cannot write a check for; my wife and three sons. They give me so much joy that thinking about how grateful I am to have them in my life never fails to make me think positively.
Reach Stuart at 818-422-3626
You can find more sales insights at www.upgradeperformance.com
