9 Ways to Beat Negativity
April 6th, 2009 Posted in NewsletterThis is an article I wrote for April’s issue of Realtor Magazine. However as you’ll see, these tips apply to any profession. You can also find the article online here.
1. Tell yourself a positive story. Life is a story. The story we tell ourselves and the role we play in that story determines the quality and direction of our life. The best real estate professionals are able to overcome adversity by telling themselves a more positive story than the rest. Instead of a drama or a horror movie, they define their life as an inspirational tale. Instead of being the victim, they see themselves as a fighter and overcomer. You may not be able to control market conditions, but you can influence the outcome of your story.
2. Model yourself after success. Are there real estate practitioners succeeding today? Of course there are. Seek out those people in your market and ask to meet with them. Learn from their advice and model their attitudes and actions. If they can succeed, so can you.
3. Focus on the important stuff. Tune out the negative voices and start making positive choices. What are you doing on a daily basis to grow yourself, your team, and your business? Don’t focus on the negative things other salespeople and the media are saying. Instead, focus on marketing your business, taking care of clients, and building loyal relationships. Every morning ask yourself this question: “What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?” Then take action on those items.
4. Replace “have to” with “get to.” This simple word swap can change your mind-set and your approach to work and life. It turns a complaining voice to an appreciative voice, and acknowledges that life is a gift—not an obligation. So often we grudgingly say things like “I have to go to this meeting,” “I have to meet with this client,” or “I have to sell houses in this market.” In reality, it’s not about what we have to do. It’s about what we get to do. Research shows that when we practice gratitude, we get a measurable boost in happiness that energizes us and enhances our health. It’s also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time.
5. Refuse to participate in the recession. Professionals who’ve thrived during past recessions continued to go about business as usual regardless of market conditions. They worked hard and focused on taking actions to grow their business. As others are paralyzed by fear, take the opportunity to charge forward.
6. Boost your marketing and advertising. It may seem counterintuitive to spend more money on advertising and marketing right now. But with so many of your competitors cutting back in these areas, this is a great opportunity to build your brand and gain market share. People are still buying and selling, and they will buy from those whom they trust and see in the marketplace.
7. Create a positive vision. Instead of being disappointed about where you are, make the decision to be optimistic about where you are going. Create a positive vision for your future and the future of your team. Vision helps you see the road ahead and it gives you something meaningful and valuable to strive towards.
8. Invite others on your bus. Invite colleagues and customers to board your bus for a positive ride. Send them an e-bus ticket at www.TheEnergyBus.com. Share your vision with team members and ask them to join you in making this vision a reality. Be a positive influence.
9. No more complaining. Abide by the “no complaining” rule. When you realize you’re about to complain, replace your thoughts and words with positive actions. Let your complaints help you identify what you don’t want so that you can focus on what you do want. The key is to turn complaints into solutions.
What are some ways you will beat negativty? Share your comments on our blog here.
Stay Positive!
Jon
You’re invited to be a part of Training Camp! Join us on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 12:00pm EST for a special LIVE, world-wide tele-seminar event. Click here to register.
Tags: 9 ways to beat negativity, business, happiness, jon gordon, Life, marketing, negative, positive, success
11 Responses to “9 Ways to Beat Negativity”
By Thomas R. Fennell on Apr 6, 2009
“Opportunties come gift wrapped in challenges, thank the Caring Creator for your challenges.”
By Marie-Josee Salvas on Apr 6, 2009
May I add a 10th strategy to your list?
Fields as diverse as psychology, physiology, medicine, and neuroscience have shown that physical activity increases subjective well-being, reduces stress, boosts self-esteem, sharpens thinking and improves overall quality of life. Studies have been conducted with populations ranging from children to adolescents to women during PMS, pregnancy, and all the way to menopause! If any intervention is that effective, it definitely deserves a spot on your list of strategies to fight negativity, right?
Warmly,
MarieJ
By Maddy Hooke on Apr 6, 2009
I think about the good things I have in life.
By anna on Apr 6, 2009
I want to know where I am going and what I will be doing once I finish the teaching career that I have. I cannot stand working with the adults that surround me, I love the students, but not the adults, I need a major change.
By Fred Boone on Apr 6, 2009
1. Be thankful for what you have now!
2. Be grateful for your health.
3 Be grateful for your family and friends.
4. Be gald we live in a beautiful and free country like the U.S.- Clean air, clean water and the ability to do whatever you want ( based upon our laws of course).
By Patty Bennett on Apr 6, 2009
Fabulous Tips and Reminders!! I am passing this along to all my friends and colleagues! We have so many blessings to be thankful for - I especially love the reminder to say “I get to” instead of I have to.. Thanks!
By Debbie on Apr 18, 2009
This was a great reminder of ways to stay positive. I often find myself shifting into the negative mode. I especially like the “get to” instead of “have to” strategy. There is some real truth to that and I know that I need to focus on the great things I take for granted every day, like the fact that I have a great job, great kids, and we are all healthy.
If I were to add a strategy, I would say write down three things you are grateful for at the end of each day. Oprah called it a gratitude journal and I think it’s a great idea.
By Marie-Josee Salvas on Apr 19, 2009
Debbie, you are right - the gratitude journal does work well. It is actually a strategy that was developed by Dr. Martin Seligman and his team at University of Pennsylvania.
They did a few empirical studies to validate if the technique really works. Turns out that it is effective in increasing happiness, self-confidence and it can also boost your immune system (mind and body are related in many more ways than we think!) - that’s why you heard of it on Oprah.
But you are missing the most important part of the practice: you should write the things you are grateful for AND what you did to contribute.
So for example, just writing that you are grateful because it was sunny today won’t be nearly as effective as writing “I am grateful for the sun today AND I went for a nice walk outside to enjoy it.”
The part where you write about how you contributed is important because it helps boost your self-confidence. Also, you’ll see patterns emerge over time. Maybe it turns out you are grateful each time you go for a walk, regardless of temperature. If that’s the case, then you know to walk more often. You see?
Congratulations on taking on a great technique!
Warmly,
MarieJ
By Thomas R. Fennell on Apr 19, 2009
“Any day above ground is a good day” Thomas R. Fennell
By Diana Metal on May 4, 2009
I believe that we attract more good things into our lives by being positive and expecting good things. It works in the negative also. Either way we get what we expect more often than not.