The path to success is paved with positive thinking

The power of positive thinking cannot be understated. I’ve watched it transform teams and individuals into a powerful force to be reckoned with. Conversely, I have watched negative thinking bring everything tumbling down. 

I know which side of that coin I’d rather see every day, but it is often too easy, even for leaders, to fall into the trap of negativity. As such, it does help to get a reminder or two once in a while of just how transformational positive thinking can be.

Recently, that reminder came to me by way of a young saleswoman at my company. Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow into her position. Her onboarding to the company was not as smooth as others. She is relatively new to sales, new to working in the American market, and despite also working in a language that is not her native tongue, I have seen how the challenges that could have brought her to her knees, didn’t. There have been many yeses that turned into no’s, meetings that were utterly terrible, or people who she thought were going to come through for her who did not. Seemingly everything bad that could happen to a salesperson seemed to happen to her! 

What has been remarkable to observe is her attitude. Each day, she takes on every new challenge with her chin up. She looks at each negative situation as an opportunity to grow and learn, keeping positive and believing that her talents will pay off. And indeed they are.

She is currently signing partnerships and contracts that salespeople far more senior than her have yet to do. It is inspiring and I am so happy she remained positive. She has lots to celebrate – and we have lots we can learn from her. First and foremost: others might think you should throw in the towel, but that doesn’t mean you should. Remember that you are in a place for a reason, so use that reason to steer yourself to success. Second, even those, like myself, who see ourselves as natural positive thinkers, need to keep practicing that positivity – especially in the face of immense challenges. 

Shortly after I started my company 10 years ago, I remember a time where I was so discouraged that I couldn’t get out of my car. I honestly can’t remember what caused it – most likely a string of bad meetings or a few “no’s” to sales I was expecting to be a “yes.” I was paralyzed with an overwhelming fear that I was a failure. This happened despite the company being in the black after only three months of existence, with an impressive list of interviewees, from the mayor to top real estate developers, and a subscriber list of readers ready and waiting for when the report would be released. I had so many positive signs around me, and yet I allowed small challenges to affect my psyche. 

While I did eventually get out of my car, I had to do some serious work in terms of positive thinking.

Just a few months later, I was at our leadership summit in a crowded room full of enthusiasm, standing in front of all the people who had assisted with that first year’s report. I will never forget the elation I felt that day. The pride that shone brightly from within. So, when the times get tough, I try to bring myself right back to where I was in that moment close to 10 years ago.

Of course, as leaders of companies, we are expected to be bastions of confidence. Yet, we are also human. The negativity of our current politics, the uncertainty of our economics, global political turbulence, let alone the day-to-day inconveniences of someone cutting us off in traffic, a report that was done incorrectly, or the outrageous behavior of a toddler are all things that can creep into our minds so fast it’s affecting us before we know it. But our teams rely on us to be that shining beacon of light moving our companies forward and upward. The power of positive thinking is that it truly helps us to do that, through thick and thin. 

It’s not easy, for sure. Staying positive is a habit that is nurtured – and it’s something I will continue to practice for the rest of my life. Holding dear those moments of immense positivity and elation that I can bring right back into my mind despite moments and periods of negativity has certainly helped me stay the course. 

What has helped you?