Recently there has been instances, where I felt I am surrounded by lot of negative folks, who are trying hard to pull me into their negative thinking zone. This experience introduced a thought among me – “how to identify this negativity and can I do something about it?”
How to identify negative vs positive attitude?
| Positive Attitude Individual | Negative Attitude Individual |
| In case of a problem, individual will come up with solutions. | In case of problem, individual will come up with excuses, and will try supporting them with hypothetical statements. |
| Individual will look for long term goals | Individual will look for short term gains |
| Individual will took ownership of work and demonstrate leadership traits | Individual will try to run away from ownership |
| Individual look for opportunities | Individual look for limitations |
How to retain positive thinking?
- Focus on problem solving for existing problems
- Spend time with positive people
- Stop complaining
- Be curious and embrace learning
- Look for long term, instead of short term goals
- Assume responsibility and choose your response
- Stay away from negativity (including folks with negative attitude)
- Always support people around you
In our Vedic scripture also, there is a reference of this,
“Vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavanam’’
Vitarka = improper thoughts; Badhane = troubling ; Pratipaksha = opposite; Bhavanam = side.
“When improper thoughts trouble you, then take the opposite side.”
Summary – the mind has capability of thinking only one thing at a time, so make it positive. Whenever you have a chain of bad thoughts, just think of the opposite, break the chain, go have some fresh air.
Manish's - Thoughts and Learnings 