There is a lot of research verifying the fact that positive people tend to accomplish more and have better health. The research is all well and good, but observation is also important. And there is one thing that I have yet to observe.
I’ve never observed a positive-oriented person suggest that s/he would somehow be better of by choosing to be more negative.
Oh, sure. I’ve known positive people who wished that they had thought through the difficulties of trying some things or fully appreciated the odds against a particular venture succeeding. That happens to all of us. But I have yet to know someone who regrets having a positive mindset.
There is a good reason for it. Part of a positive mindset is resilience – the ability to bounce back from adversity rather than wallowing in it. The individual with a positive mindset recognizes the value of staying active in a forward-moving direction so that setbacks a seen as temporary and not part of the person’s self-definition. The positive person expects to succeed – even if it’s not today.
It’s hard to be miserable and happy at the same time. While some people can justify wallowing in their misery because of the bad breaks they’ve received, it really isn’t a lot of fun – and it doesn’t move them closer to success.
Think about it. What would you like to be able to say about yourself and the way that you function? “I really enjoy life even if things don’t alway go my way” – or – “Because things don’t always go my way I wish I could learn to be more miserable”.
I suggest that you choose to be positive.