What worries me even more is whether business individuals even know that they are carrying this mental mindset around with them and sadly, it seems to be as contagious as the winter flu - maybe they are intrinsically linked?
Whether it is Company Directors, key management or staff on the ground level, everyone seems to be adopting the give-up approach, because thinking positive seems too much like hard work and not akin to the reality of the day to day struggle, that everyone accepts is the only route to normal business behaviour. What shocks me further is that any positive energy from groups or individuals is frowned upon by the overriding business negativity!
I believe that recent economic troubles have conditioned us to dealing with bad news and we accept challenges as a negative and not with a positive approach. Perhaps this stems from Upper Management and Board Room behaviour - having to constantly manage tight cash flow constraints and generalised problems that are faced in these cost cutting times - it is unrealistic to think that these issues won't eventually filter through.
One's positive attitude is a basic but powerful tool that only each individual can harness and use as a weapon against negativity. Choose this new way of thinking to bring about a change for long term success. Effort is what is required in everything that we do in our lives and this should be applied to the workplace and business arena; if we don't try to give our very best, how can we ever expect to achieve the desired result.
If you put your mind to it, think about a group or experience that has had a positive impact on you and I am sure you would associate this memory with success, think about some of the leading brands and certainly some of the world's best recognised entrepreneurs - you won't see them down in the mouth or negative about their brand, it's always the same message; excitement, innovation and above all, enthusiasm.
What I have seen across a range of industry is a small number of companies tackling this issue and re-focusing with a clear strategy for the future. They are setting about improving their teamwork; communicating their success internally and externally and making decisions and implementing these actions quickly. It shows that you can take back the control and not allow negative influences to dictate an outcome.
The phrase ‘Cheer up it may never happen' didn't come from our forefathers for no reason, they were right - to have a positive and cheerful persona will contribute to infectious positive behaviour and improve one's happiness or an overall company performance, making us all feel better - let's monitor the positive results and successes together but don't look at this as a negative view but as a positive change to be made.
James Farmer. Bartercard UK
