The ability to stay positive in the face of tough situations is truly a life skill worth expending endless effort in mastering. Mastering a positive attitude when surrounded by people who are spouting negative words and thoughts can be difficult.
Being an entrepreneur means that you’re going to be faced with plenty of difficulties along the road to success. While you’ll undoubtedly fall into a few dark moments here and there (completely normal), learning to minimize the negativity of those around you is an invaluable skill. Here are 8 ways to boost your functionality in a negative environment.
1. Reinforce Your Own Confidence
It is of utmost importance that you remain positive in your own mind. It’s perfectly natural (and completely healthy) to have your own doubts. However, the effect of another’s attitude on your frame of mind can cause you to falter and doubt your goals. Losing faith in yourself may lend to feelings of “throwing in the towel.” Remember your goals. Write them down. Review them daily. Your goals are your own, so have confidence in them.
2. Open Up the Lines of Communication
Whether dealing with a negative attitude of a business partner, family member, or friend, try to gently point out the individual’s negativity without your own criticism. You don’t want to put them on the defense, only to point out their own negative (and unproductive) feelings. They are probably not aware of how harmful, rather than helpful, their negative feelings are.
3. Flip It on Its Head
Many people use negative feelings as defense mechanisms. In this world, mundane daily problems act as prompters for negativity. Many people simply don’t have the skills to effectively diffuse negative thoughts, feelings and emotions. Your entrepreneurial goals will be directly affected by how well you can eliminate negativity from your environment. Become a teacher - a Guru, if you will. Help others develop positive energy. Hang posters filled with positive phrases. Put positive messages in your sales literature. Kill negativity before it has an opportunity to root.
4. Don’t Jump to Conclusions
We all tend to take negativity, whether or not it’s business-related, too personally. Try not to jump to conclusions. Negativity from another person may not be intended to be hurtful. They may be encountering difficulties in their personal lives, such as family illness, relationship problems, and other issues. In their minds, they may be playing “devil’s advocate.” Don’t take this personally. Instead, offer support and understanding. Be careful not to internalize their problems.
5. Understand
If negative words or thoughts are coming from those close to you whom you trust, remember that they are likely not trying to be hurtful. Understand, when encountering negative comments or actions, that these actions are not intended to harm you. Understand their concerns or situations. Again, be careful not to internalize this pain. Understanding is simply the act of commiserating. Don’t be on the defensive, unless someone actually means you harm. If this occurs, shut yourself off to the experience by walking away, excusing yourself from the situation. Two negatives don’t always equal a positive.
6. Enlist Professional Help
Depending upon the situation, you may consider enlisting the help of a professional to intervene. A professional can be a personal coach, an organizer or a counselor. When communication gets tough, a professional third party’s objective opinion can be very valuable.
7. Like Attracts Like
From the start, be sure to surround yourself with positive people. It is unlikely that a positive-minded entrepreneur will find much success when weighed down with the negative doubts of naysayers around them.
8. Own It
Remember that at the end of the day, you are the one in charge of how you feel. Don’t allow negative people around you to have more control over you than you do.
Being an entrepreneur means you’re in the business of yourself, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be doing it all on your own. Staying positive in the face of negativity is the key to staying motivated and persevering through those tough times.