Using a positive mental attitude to build self confidence.
Life is not 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 approach we take to deal with it. A positive frame of mind is vital for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to increase performance in productivity and quality. We are usually more confident and do better if we are feeling positive and well.
There are biological explanations of this. A positive frame of mind is because of enhanced levels of neuro transmitters like serotonin that regulate the performance abilities of the mind. The knock effects of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not just better mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is due to the boost to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.
The reverse is also true, when we are depressed we are a lot more liable to getting other diseases and mental health issues. Our interaction with other people degrade, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can reduce. In short this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed ever so often is not unusual but the way in which we decide to deal with a dilemma comes from our state of mind.
A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. Those that think positively are more likely to see challenges as opposed to problems or opportunities rather than difficulties. For instance, entrepreneurs that are successful usually are because they are able to spot opportunities for progress in a sector which others only see troubles in. The positive mental attitude of a successful person means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to ensure success and make their vision come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The difficulty for most people is in developing one in the first place.
Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged fad. For centuries religious men and scholars alike sought out and developed skills to harness an inner harmony. While this may have begun to make mankind 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 lead 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 best ways to determine your frame of mind is to reflect on 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 confident and open to meeting and talking with other people? Or are you insular and shy. Believe it or not one of the best ways to conquer a negative frame of mind is to change your frame of mind towards the world around you and that means the people in it as well. If you are usually uneasy around other people then try this experiment.
One night force yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not worry about how you look or appear or what you talk about. A reference about the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.
You see, how you are with others will affect the opportunities you get presented. Think about it like this who is the most likely to get a job between two people of equivalent ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with people and the other is laid back and comfortable with other people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.
Finding it hard to deal with day to day life? If so visit my blog on Overcoming social anxiety for some interesting advice.