A positive workforce has many benefits for a company. It creates a better working environment, helps lessen stress, increases productivity and reduces days lost due to sick leave.
We feel the difference when we interact with people who are positive and upbeat as opposed to people who are more negative and critical.
There is evidence to suggest that our brains are skewed to think negatively which may explain why many people have a glass half-empty attitude towards life. This can lead to worrying too much which increases stress levels and can lead to depression.
The good news is that studies show that when people actively start thinking positively, it lowers their stress and anxiety levels and gives them better coping skills during difficult times. Positive thoughts affect the brain so that chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin are released which make people feel good.
Many companies now offer their staff free fruit because they know that the physical health of their workforce is important. But mental health is just as important and that includes being positive. What can companies do to encourage this? Simple exercises exist which staff can incorporate into their daily lives which will help them begin to think more positively overall.
One simple technique is to list 3 things that you’re grateful for every day. Thinking about family, friends, pets, even possessions such as your car and clothes, help people to feel grateful for their life. This also has the added advantage that people reflect on their life, as opposed to constantly focusing on what is missing or what else they need.
Another technique is to reframe our self-talk. People’s internal dialogue can prevent them from performing at their best. For example, given a task, an employee may immediately think it’s too complicated for them or too difficult because they’ve never done it before. Such thoughts can be reframed. If it’s too complicated, say instead that you’ll tackle it from a different angle. If it something you’ve not done before, then see it as an opportunity to develop and learn something new.
The brain is always learning so when your staff start to consciously think positively, the brain and mind automatically become that. Doing the gratitude exercise every day for a month will train the brain as a matter of course to focus more on the benefits of a situation. Over time, thinking positively becomes the norm, so that goals and tasks can be approached from an attitude of success.
Just as eating healthily is important, so is a person’s mental attitude. Incorporating positive thinking exercises into your business means that your employees approach their work with a more assured attitude. This facilitates an atmosphere of confidence and success as people encourage each other and work to their highest potential, leading to greater productivity and engagement.
Author Bio. – Dr Malti Patel has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and has been practising Mindfulness Meditation for over 10 years. Her company EnlightOne provides wellbeing services and works closely with organisations to tailor these services such that their workforce are more focused, productive and engaged. Please email info@enlightone.co.uk for more details.
Image by Avi Chomotovski from Pixabay
