Life isn’t all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering difficulty is not a bad thing, what matters is the approach we take to deal with it. A positive frame of mind is imperative for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to increase performance in productivity and quality. We tend to be more confident and do better if we are feeling good and well.

There are biological examples of this. A positive frame of mind is because of increased amounts of neuro transmitters such as serotonin that regulate the performance capabilities of the brain. The knock results of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not just improved mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is because of the enhance to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.

The reverse is also true, when we are depressed we are far more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our relationships with people decline, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can fall. In short this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed from time to time is not uncommon but the way we decide to deal with a problem comes from our state of mind.

A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Those that think positively are far more likely to see challenges rather than problems or possibilities as opposed to difficulties. For example, entrepreneurs that are successful usually are because they are able to spot opportunities for growth in a marketplace which other people only see problems in. The positive mental attitude of a successful person means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to ensure success and make their vision come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The difficulty for most people is in developing one in the first place.

Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged fad. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike searched for and created approaches to harness an inner harmony. While this may have begun to make mankind closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant nowadays. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only steer us in to ways of being that are a detriment to our lives. Monks realised this long ago which is why they devote themselves to a life of abstinence and mental and spiritual fulfilment.

Among the simplest ways to determine your frame of mind is to think of how you are with other people. A good way to do this is to picture how you behave towards people you do not know. Are you outgoing and open to meeting and talking with people? Or are you insular and scared. Believe it or not one of the best ways to get over a negative frame of mind is to change your frame of mind towards the world around you and that means the people in it also. If you are usually uneasy around others then try this experiment.

One night push yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not be concerned about how you look or appear or what you discuss. A reference in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.

You see, the way you are with other people will have an effect on the opportunities you get presented. Consider it like this who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equivalent ability and knowledge except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with others and the other is easy going and comfortable with other people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.

Do you suffer from a negative frame of mind? If so check out Quentin’s blog on Overcoming social anxiety.