How do you look at life? How you do determine the biases of what you think and feel as well as how you act. Some people tend to look negatively at life and conjure up worst-case scenarios for the consequences of nearly every situation. They see bad events all around them. Pessimism pervades their very being. Are you one of them? You really need to know.
Negative and pessimistic people are a permanent feature of our work and social landscapes. They occur everywhere and all the time. Unfortunately, their attitude, communications, emotions, and thinking negatively affect those around them.
Consequently, people want to avoid them. Being in their presence is like stepping into quicksand and being sucked down until you feel as if you are drowning. Most people tend toward being positive. As a result, associating with the very downbeat is stressful and even physiologically uncomfortable, often causing contracted shoulder muscles or sour stomach.
Since people tend to associate negativity and pessimism with depression and hopelessness, negative and pessimistic people are likely seen as a mismatch for the Western culture’s ideal of a “healthy person” – where you are expected to be positive and forward thinking. In an office situation this can significantly and negatively impact productivity.
It is hard to be comfortably around someone who seems depressed and hopeless. The problem with negativity, pessimism, and hopelessness is that it is infectious and contagious. It is very difficult to remain positive and optimistic in their presence as a result. Cohorts, friends, associates, acquaintances, bosses, staff, and colleagues will tend to avoid them whenever they can. This makes working together as a team and accomplishing anything very difficult.
Negativity and pessimism are the psychological equivalent of Hawthorne’s “Scarlet Letter.” However, research has shown that if you are aware of your negativity and pessimistic bias and know the obstructive effect it has on others, you can change your outlook. You can change your thinking at least when judging others so your negative feelings do not color your evaluations of them. You can also learn to present yourself as basically positive and upbeat to lessen your negative impact and avoid social rejection.
– Find out if you are chronically negative and pessimistic. Take this test. Optimism or Pessimism?
– Work on seeing bad events as (a) temporary, (b) happening only in specific instances, and (c) not necessarily yours or someone else’s fault. Dispute these thoughts.
– Give yourself enough time and the opportunity to focus when making judgments about yourself, but especially when making them about others
– Make every effort to present yourself as upbeat as you work to become that way.
Are you a solo law practitioner trying to grow your business? Signe Dayhoff, Ph.D., can show you how to magnetically attract clients & increase your business 20% in only 3 months – and do in 5 simple steps with professionalism and integrity… without selling.Subscribe to her free monthly Educate To Connect Tips, relationship-based educational marketing e-zine, and claim your complimentary “Effective Listening & Responding Guide.” For creating profitable and dignified visibility and credibility it is http://www.EducateToConnectMarketing.com.
