August 17, 2020
The Power of a Positive Thinking
Is happiness something we can learn? Health scientists says yes—and by adopting a positive outlook, entrepreneurs can better face difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
People tend to think happiness just happens, but it’s actually something you can develop with practice, and the benefits touch pretty much every part of your life.
Research shows those benefits can range from lower rates of cardiovascular disease to better-quality sleep and less anxiety, and that higher reported happiness levels correspond to stronger measures of cooperativeness, problem-solving, altruism, listening and likability, all of which are key for effective teamwork in business.
For any entrepreneur who wants to sharpen their happiness skills, there are three tips:
1. Control what you can
The loss of control that comes with a crisis like COVID-19 can cause stress and anxiety.
While there’s big stuff you can’t do anything about, there are lots of little ways you can exercise control and feel like you’re doing your part. Following physical distancing rules, wearing a mask when you go out—those are positive actions that are easy to take.
Experts advise that striking a healthy balance when it comes to staying informed. Knowing what’s going on in the world can foster a feeling of being on top of things, but too much information—especially if it’s fraught with worry and fear—can have the opposite effect. Check the news just once or twice a day and stick to reliable sources.
2. Stay connected to others
The Harvard Study of Adult Development has been measuring factors that contribute to happy, healthy lives for more than 80 years. It has found the quality of people’s relationships directly impacts their long-term wellbeing. As an entrepreneur, you have lots of people looking to you for answers and support. Make sure you also have a network of people you can turn to and rely on in tough times. With the coronavirus specifically, just because we can’t be physically close doesn’t mean we can’t still be there for each other.
3. Cut yourself some slack
While the COVID-19 crisis has required entrepreneurs to make several day-to-day decisions—as they set up remote teams and manage unpredictable finances—many experts recommend setting aside the urge to make big, long-term ones.
Fear, anxiety and stress all affect our ability to think clearly. So take the pressure off and defer making big plans or changes if you can.
On way is by focusing on personal health and wellbeing by eating well, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and allowing yourself to feel whatever you feel.
This helps us overcome the negativity bias that exists in each of us. Our minds are inclined to pick out the negative aspects of a situation because that behaviour was key to our survival when humans lived in the wild and watched for danger to stay alive. But we can train ourselves to actively look for the positive instead—things as small as a great cup of coffee on a rainy day.
Putting it all Together
The cumulative effect of these little things is significant. The happiness they bring lasts longer than big moments of joy like winning a contract or going on a trip. And it has a ripple effect, she says.
Positivity extends by three degrees to the people around us. When you’re happy, that sets the tone for those around you.