Law Career Challenge #20 Have a Positive Mental Attitude
Our final challenge might be the most important one of all – and the only one you really need.
To wit: maintain a positive mental attitude.
Some people just naturally see the glass half-full. They don’t have to work at being optimistic. Others have more difficulty.
But the truth is that positivity is essential to getting what you want in life. Nobody’s journey is a perfectly smooth downhill ride. Everyone suffers struggles and setbacks.
Staying positive is the surest way to overcome obstacles and not get dragged down by pessimism and defeat.
The Power of Positive Thinking
Positive thinking is not Pollyanna thinking. It is not walking around in la-la-land. It does not mean you stick your head in the sand and deny a problem exists. It means you accept what is and believe if you give an honest effort you can make it better.
A positive mental attitude thinks the best is going to happen, not the worst. This, remarkably enough, works wonders for physical health as well.
In a famous study, men who were by nature pessimistic had 50 percent more heart attacks than optimistic men. Other health benefits, as reported by the Mayo Clinic:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower stress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships
One study even showed optimism improved vision. In a series of neurological tests, people with positive attitudes had more information flowing through their visual cortexes than negative people.
Five Training Tips
- Visualize success. If you are starting a new case or project, picture a successful outcome. The law of attraction will bring you the people and circumstances you need to make it a reality.
- Read positive quotes, words and mantras. Thoughts determine perceptions. Fill your head with positive thoughts, and the world instantly becomes a more positive place.
- Don’t hang around negative people. They will drain your positive energy.
- Do things that make you happy. Duh.
- Stand up straight. Turns out mom was right. Good posture is important. Walking with a straight spine and shoulders back generates positive, optimistic energy.
If you missed last week's challenge, you can find it here.
Source: Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
