Berger Leadership Blog

A positive attitude has proven to have both productivity and health benefits. However, even with these benefits, glass-half-full thinking isn't always easy. When we are confronted by threats and negativity on an ongoing basis, our brains can too easily fall victim to pessimism.

Travis Bradberry, president of TalentSmart, says positive thinking is a daily challenge that requires both focus and attention. "You must be intentional about staying positive if you're going to overcome the brain's tendency to focus on threats," he writes. "It won't happen by accident."

Bradberry lists three ways to maintain positivity. These include:

1. Separate fact from fiction. Stop negative self-talk in its tracks by realizing that this kind of talk is usually just thoughts, not facts.
2. Identify a positive. Once you stop the negative thought process, focus on something positive. "Any positive thought will do to refocus your brain's attention," Bradberry says.
3. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Taking the time to think about what you're grateful for reduces cortisol – the stress hormone – by 23 percent, Bradberry writes.

While these three tips may sound basic and like something we've all heard before – they do work. Changing our thought process from negative to positive requires active focus and practice. However, with a payoff of better health and productivity, it's worth the time and discipline.

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