anguage is hard. People tend to use this line when they say a thing that came out of their mouth wrong, which is totally fair enough. Language is really hard. Particularly English. Try explaining to a new English speaker why the past tense of ‘catch’ isn’t ‘catched’ and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Actions do speak louder than words but sometimes it’s words we need to watch. Every now and then I catch myself using negative words more than I usually do. If I’m having a bit of an off day, I’ll occasionally say things like ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t’. Words positive people (hardly) ever say.
I hate ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t’. They’re brick wall words. They stop things. They stop conversations, the stop solutions and they stop achievements. It’s pretty easy to fall into the habit of saying them but thankfully it’s pretty easy to get back out of the habit too. We’re all allowed to have off days but no one likes a permanent grump so here are a few things to avoid if you want to be a more positive person.
I couldn’t be bothered
Positive people are bothered. One of the biggest game changers in life is simply being bothered. Don’t let anything be too hard for you to achieve and never say that you can’t be bothered. Say yes, try to find solutions. It’s much better than writing off something before you’ve even tried.
That’s not possible
Positive people never see blocks in the road, they only see the goal. There’s also a big difference between things that seem impossible and things that are actually impossible. If you’re going to use the word ‘impossible’, make sure you use it accurately. If what you mean is ‘That looks like too much work’ say that instead.
I’m going to do it the way I always do it
There’s certainly merit in repetition but truly positive people know that sometimes you need to update your routine. It’s certainly easier to do things the way you’ve always done but it might not be the fastest or most efficient way to get things done. Give change a chance.
I don’t need a second opinion
Positive people love to learn and they love to hear the opinions of other people. It’s easy to fall into a trap of feeling like an expert at your job, especially if you’ve been doing it for an extended period of time but one of the best things you can do for your positivity is ask for advice. You never know who might have the answer to your problem. Sometimes it’s a good idea to take on ideas you don’t think will work – you might just learn something along the way.
Ask someone else
Positive people will never palm a job off to someone else. They love to help and get shit done, in fact they often ask other positive people to join them. A positive person says ‘Sure! Why not?’.
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Do you sometimes find yourself being a bit negative? Do you have any ways to get yourself out of that funk?
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P.S If you’re keen to learn to crochet, Crochet Coach pre-sale spots are still up only until launch on 2oth October. It will literally never be this price again. The Facebook group is so awesome – I finally have crochet buddies! Yay!
8 Comments
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Yes. I do. Often. But I try to alter the thought process to a positive way. V x
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Well done! Half the battle is changing the way you think.
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Oh yes, I think we all have our less positive moments! My favourite word is resilience. When I’m negative, I ask myself what a resilient person would/should do. It’s OK to be in a funk or feel a bit hopeless at times, but it’s how you talk to yourself and pick yourself back up and solve problems or face them head on that matters.
I hate some of those cheesy inspirational posts but attitude really can be everything.
I think we attract what we put out there. If we say, “This won’t change.” It won’t. If we say, “I can’t be bothered. It will never work out.” It won’t. If we say, “I could never do that.” we won’t.
We all face challenges that can seem insurmountable at times, but we can choose to accept it and find peace, or let someone share the load in a gracious way, or we can just find another way – do some research, ask someone for advice (and then listen to it with an open mind).-
Oh lord I’m doing that right now! Launching Crochet Coach properly on Thursday and it’s so much work. I’m literally working and going to the gym and that’s it. RESLIIENCE!!!! Can’t even spell it… 🙂
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Just today I was in my combat class & my instructor said ” who first do running man?” I told her I can’t. She laughed & said ” do you have a doctors note?” & I laughed & said ” I have 4 kids! I can’t! I’ll wet myself” she told me I could & I would & to stop saying can’t because it’s bullshit. So I done the bloody running man & she was proud of me but so I was I! Something I’ve repeatedly told myself I couldn’t do, even though I never tried, I bloody well did it! Now I’m going to look more closely when I say can’t & see if I actually can 🙂
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Oh well done! I try everything at the gym so when I say I can’t do something at the gym it means I’ve tried and failed. 🙂
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I definitely can be negative, especially when I’m feeling super snowed under at work and the goal posts keep changing or someone wants you to squeeze in just one more thing that you don’t have time to do.
BUT. The only constant is change and I’ve learned over the years you either have to roll with the change of the business (or life) or you end up being that old codger in the corner telling everyone that ‘this is the way it’s always been done’.
If someone approaches me with something new, I’ve learned to be positive about it but also be honest about whether I have capacity to do the new work/change in process and delegate. I want to be able to do my job, but also not be a road block to change or new ideas.
(Sorry, this was a very work-centric comment! I’m about to go back to work next Monday after seven weeks off so I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for that. 😉 )
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Oh I like it! I’m like that too – I’m very cautious so if someone is going to change my work flow, I need to be honest with them about how that will fit in with my life. 🙂
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