Life will never be all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of being. Encountering difficulty is not a bad thing, what matters is the way we deal with it. A positive frame of mind is crucial for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to raise performance in efficiency and quality. We are usually more confident and perform better if we are feeling positive and well.

I have found biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is as a result of elevated levels of neuro transmitters like serotonin that regulate the performance capabilities of the mind. The knock results of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not only better mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is due to the increase to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.

The reverse is also true, if we are depressed we are far more liable to contracting other diseases and mental health issues. Our interaction with people degrade, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can reduce. In a nutshell this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed from time to time is not uncommon but how we choose to face a problem comes from our state of mind.

A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Those who think positively are more likely to see challenges rather than problems or possibilities instead of difficulties. For example, entrepreneurs who are successful often are because they are able to spot opportunities for growth in a sector which other people only see troubles in. The positive mental attitude of a successful individual means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to succeed and make their vision come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The issue for most people is in developing one in the first place.

Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike searched for and developed techniques to harness an inner harmony. While this may have begun to make humanity closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant today. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only steer us in to ways of being that are a detriment to our lives. Monks realised this long ago which is why they devote themselves to a life of abstinence and mental and spiritual fulfilment.

Among the simplest ways to determine your frame of mind is to think about how you are with other people. A good way to do this is to picture how you behave towards people you do not know. Are you outgoing and open to meeting and talking with people? Or are you insular and scared. Believe it or not one of the best ways to overcome a negative frame of mind is to change your attitude to the world around you and that means the people in it as well. If you are generally uncomfortable around other people then try this experiment.

One night push yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not be concerned about how you look or appear or what you discuss. A reference in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.

You see, the way you are with other people will affect the opportunities you get offered. Consider it in this way who is the most likely to get a job between two people of identical ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with other people and the other is laid back and comfortable with people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.

Do you think the way you are is affecting your life and opportunities? If so you must get Quentin’s free video on Overcoming social anxiety.