Some people are always anxious and looking for troubles all the time. Others become disempowered as soon as they hit the obstacle. Some only want to imagine that everything is still good, regardless of the depth of the problem. Shyam (name changed) is deeply in debt, but he wants to believe that he doesn’t have any problems in life.
Do you ever wonder what a positive mindset is? Is lying yourself about the situation like Shaym, a positive mindset?
Well, the concept of positive mental attitude (PMA) was initially introduced by Nepolian Hill through his book Think and Grow rich in 1937. He did not use the term PMA in the book, but the book was defined on the basis of this notion. Later Napoleon, along with W.Clement Stone, founder of Combined Insurance, wrote Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude. According to this book, positive mental attitude is including traits most represented by words such as faith, integrity, hope, optimism, courage, initiative, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindness and common sense. (Source Wikipedia)
The positive mindset is that philosophy that having an optimistic disposition in every situation of one’s life attracts positive change and increases success.
Everybody encounters some kind of obstacle in their lifetime, whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major problem. However, whenever you run into a challenge, try to focus on the positive, no matter how big or small it may seem. Focusing on the positive, trains your mind to find the good in every situation. This learned optimism ultimately leads to PMA. PMA is considered an internal locus of control that influences external factors. Through training such as emotional intelligence and positive psychology, a person’s attitudes and perceptions can be modified to improve one’s life.
What’s It Not?
Take, for instance, a businessman with thousands of crores in debt. He believes life is good by not looking at the debt. When you run away from negative emotions by not looking at problems, you do not resolve them. To resolve problems, you must face them. I remember one thing that happened in my own life.
My mother was in her 70s, diabetic and also used to complain about body aches. In addition, she had developed breathing difficulties. She was been in pain for some time. She suffered through silently. It was a health emergency. I was alone with her and had to make a decision on the spot. You can’t stick your head in the sand like an ostrich and say she’s healthy, everything will be fine.
Have to believe that whatever you do will yield positive results and then do what is best possible.
There is no certainty in life. Some decisions might workout and some may not. We have to learn from our errors and look at life from a balanced point of view.
PMA isn’t being happy all the time. At the same time, you have to make sure that your optimism is anchored in reality. Before giving each situation a positive twist, stop and ask yourself, “Is my optimism grounded in reality?”
Optimism is only detrimental when it lacks a solid foundation in reality. While you base your positivity on truth and facts, it will rarely point you in the wrong direction.
Let’s look at the science behind PMA that makes it effective.
What Makes PMA Work?
The PMA is firmly rooted in the following principles:
Beliefs: That which you think to be true. It may not be a fact, however, it’s your reality.
Perceptions: How do you perceive a given situation or experience. You can also tell this as the story you are telling yourself about the situation.
Attitude: Your attitude to a topic affects your thoughts and actions. Such attitudes could have been defined by the underlying values or could have been developed on the basis of life experiences. The attitude may come from a person’s past or present. In layman’s terms, attitude can be called a person’s feelings about himself and the world around him.
Action: What you do determines your outcomes.
Let’s say, Shyam believes that life is fair and good. He creates the perception of a good life by telling himself such stories. He develops a positive attitude towards life and so takes risks and takes bigger decisions in life. Out of ten decisions, he might succeed in some and fail in others. Because his attitude is positive, He would learn from his mistakes and readjust his actions.
Let us take a look at the risks of chronic negative thinking.
Risks Associated With Persistent Negative Thinking
Stress and other negative emotions trigger several processes in our body, including the release of stress hormones, metabolism and immune function.
Long term stress, increases the inflammation of your body, which has been associated with a number of serious diseases.
Symptoms of mental stress include, but are not limited to headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and trouble sleeping.
Condemnation, anger, and hostility have been associated with heart disease, sudden heart attack, neurological issues and many other serious health issues.
Furthermore, constant negative thinking is a spiral, it continues to pile up. Over a period of time, people will try to avoid dealing with those negative people.
Like the downward spiral, positive thinking creates the upward spiral. Let us look at the advantages of the PMA.
Benefits Of PMA
Positivity and optimism can create a compound effect where each new success lifts you up and gives you even more confidence in yourself.
Positive Self-talk will make you considerate, compassionate. Helps become our own best friends.
Feel less loneliness, lower-risk behavior (drug abuse, violence, promiscuity).
PMA Is a lifestyle. You can use PMA to fast-track your accomplishments.
With the practice of PMA, begin to change your life. People will notice that you’re different.. Will get attracted towards you.
You will attract others with like-minded, resources, opportunities and outcomes. Improve your life for the better.
As you start accumulating gains, your confidence and positivity will increase, and you will hit the accelerator on the path to success.
Evidence-based benefits of positive thinking include:
- Better quality of life
- High degree of energy.
- Improves mental and physical well-being.
- Quick recovery after injury or disease.
- Less cold
- Low levels of depression.
- Good stress management and coping skills
- Longer lifetime
Positive thinking is not magical and does not clear up all your problems. All it will do is make the problems seem more manageable and help you approach the problem in a more positive and productive way.
Let’s now consider different ways to reach the PMA.
Tools And Techniques To Develop PMA
- Practice gratitude
- Self care
- Positive self talk
- Appreciating others
- Practicing Meditation
- Practice Prayers
- Physical exercises
- Affirmations
Happy Parenting….
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