You’re only human, and sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you probably feel down. You may be stressed about work, worried about bills, and concerned about your kids’ behaviour. Or maybe a loved one is ill. Or a friend is having a tough time. There are always moments in life that are dark and challenging. The key is to face the sunshine and try to smile. Turning negative thoughts into positive thoughts can have a profound impact on your life and the people around you.

Health Is More Than Just Not Being Sick

Health is not only the absence of illness or disease. According to the World Health Organisation, health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” Good health is important for a good leader, and focusing on all aspects of health are necessary.

A study in Korea examined the effects of positive thinking on life satisfaction. Positive thinking means looking at obstacles as challenges that can be defeated. Positive thinking also requires people to be more engaged with their environments.

The authors found that positive thinking is a good predictor of life satisfaction and that positive thinking could potentially be used for psychological interventions to improve the quality of life (Jung, 2007).

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

Helen Keller

Negative thoughts can be difficult to dispel, but it’s important to keep in mind that each day is a new beginning. When you wake up, take a few minutes for yourself to breathe deeply and focus on something positive. Let the sun shine on your face. Smile, even if it’s only for yourself. It’s important for everyone to sync their mind and body, and positive thoughts can be a powerful force.

A small change can have significant results. Start simply if you need to, and look for something positive on the way to work, or while taking the kids to school. Say something positive to a family member or coworker. Hopefully, you’ll experience the ‘snowball effect,' and all these little bits of positivity will add up and make you feel less stressed and just happier in general.

Finding Balance To Increase Performance

Performance fuels your self-development and allows you to expand your brain’s ability to create and find purpose. You can improve your performance by ensuring that your mind and body are on the same path and balanced. Retrain your brain to look for the positive, instead of always focusing on what’s wrong.

Balancing your work and home and social life can be challenging, but it can be done with the right tools. Consider adding the techniques and ideas from the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology to your toolkit, and embrace the positive changes you will experience in all aspects of your life.

Citation
Jung, J. Y., Oh, Y. H., Oh, K. S., Suh, D. W., Shin, Y. C., & Kim, H. J. (2007). Positive-Thinking and Life Satisfaction amongst Koreans.
Yonsei Medical Journal, 48(3), 371–378. http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2007.48.3.371

Originally posted on: 28 November 2017
Last updated on: 24 March 2024
Silvia Damiano

Silvia Damiano

Founder & CEO
About my Brain Institute

Scientist, educator, author, speaker, coach, award-winning leadership specialist, filmmaker and creator of the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology.

Silvia's scientific background and curiosity about the human brain led her to a decade long journey of research into optimal brain functioning and the application of neuroscience in leadership and daily life. Her past and current roles have uniquely prepared her for the current undertaking, that of leadership activist & change agent.

Silvia Damiano founded The About my Brain Institute in 2009, with the purpose of democratising leadership & neuroscience. She has a passionately held belief, that leaders in our 21st century global economy and their organisations must radically change long-held ideas of what constitutes effective leadership

In her ground-breaking books ‘Leadership is Upside Down’, ‘Brain-Friendly Leadership’ and the 2018 documentary ‘Make Me A Leader’, Silvia provides both compelling evidence and explores the importance of leadership in our personal and professional lives and what it takes to develop the human behind the leader.

Silvia has worked in different countries, across many industries, helping teams and organisations improve business performance. Silvia’s clients have described her as a passionate, dynamic, a highly experienced speaker and master facilitator on the topics of Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Change, Neuroleadership & Engagement.

Silvia is passionate about leaving a legacy of well-rounded leaders who can act and decide in a way that better serves humanity. Her clients include Microsoft, Australian Stock Exchange, NSW Government, VISA, Fuji Xerox and Manpower amongst many other global companies.

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