Positivity~Defined With You In Mind
Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am
© 2010 Dr.judy Krings
Life fascinates the heck out of me. Never a dull moment. Especially synchronicity. Yesterday, two clients asked me the same question, “Just what is ‘positivity’?”
I got out my Tom Rath Strengths Finder 2.0 book to see the Gallop’s definition:
You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation. Some call you light-hearted. Others wish their glass were as full as your seems to be. But either way, people want to be around you. Their world looks better because of you because your enthusiasm is contagious.
Next I checked out Barbara Fredrickson’s terrific book, Positivity. Here’s her ground-breaking research definition:
It consists of a wide range of positive emotions – from appreciation to love, from amusement to joy, from hope to gratitude, and then some. The term is purposefully broad. It includes the positive meanings and optimistic attitudes that trigger positive emotions as well as the open minds, tender hearts, relaxed limbs, and soft faces they usher in. It even includes the long-term impact that positive emotions have on your character, your relationships, communities, and environment.
Where is your positivity level? Need to zestfully add a positivity tap dance to your repertoire? Here’s how:
- Zero in on what is right about your world. Share your enthusiasm with others.
- Be aware of negativity. It’s normal. Ask what is good or what can you learn from it.
- Add to your joy by encouraging others.
- Avoid negative people. They are energy vampires.
- Hang out with other people who are more positive than you. Smile, watch, listen and learn.
Go ahead! Tie on your talent tap shoes. How can you dance in life if you don’t?
And you don’t have to wear your little tight red-sequined mini-skirt. That is unless it gets you in the mood.
