How our frame of mind can affect our self confidence.
Life isn’t all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of being. Encountering difficulty is not a bad thing, the main concern is the approach we take to deal with it. A positive frame of mind is important for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to boost performance in productivity and quality. We are typically more confident and perform better when we are feeling good and well.
I have found biological examples of this. A positive frame of mind is as a result of elevated levels of neuro transmitters such as serotonin that regulate the efficiency capabilities of the mind. The knock effects of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced health not just improved mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is due to the increase to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.
The opposite is also true, if we are depressed we are far more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our interaction with other people deteriorate, we begin to think irrationally and our confidents can reduce. In a nutshell this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed ever so often is not uncommon but the way we choose to deal with a dilemma comes from our state of mind.
A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Those that think positively are 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 progress in a marketplace which others 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 succeed and make their dream come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The problem for most people is in developing one in the first place.
Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike sought out and created approaches to harness an inner tranquility. While this may have begun to make mankind closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant in the present day. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only direct us in to ways of being which 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 best ways to determine your frame of mind is to reflect on 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 terrified. 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 too. If you are usually uneasy around other people 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 about the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.
You see, how you are with other people will impact the opportunities you get offered. Think about it like this who is the most likely to get a job between two people of identical ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with people and the other is easy going and comfortable with people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.
Do you find it hard to get into a positive frame of mind? If so check out Quentin’s free video on Overcoming social anxiety.
