11 Benefits of Being Positive

February 22nd, 2010 Posted in Newsletter

Over the years I’ve done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.

1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)

2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)

3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)

4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)

5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)

6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)

7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)

8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can’t be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)

9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)

10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam)

11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

How has staying positive helped you and your team/family? Share your thoughts on our blog.

Download a PDF Poster of these 11 Benefits of Being Positive. Download, print and share.

Stay Positive,

-Jon

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  1. 11 Responses to “11 Benefits of Being Positive”

  2. By ebony mom politics on Feb 22, 2010

    As a mother I try to keep a positive attitude because the attitude of the mother can have a positve or negative effect on the children. Fortunately for me my two children do have a positive attitude.

  3. By Challenged Dad on Feb 22, 2010

    I had lost my business and was forced into financial ruin and we are in the process of losing our home of 25 years. I spent some 4-6 months in a depression and didn’t know how to come out of it. Eventually, through a lot of prayer, I have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I try to wake up my wife everyday by saying “It’s going to be a great day today” However I don’t always feel that way by the end of the day. I am a Realtor and the market has been challenging. Yesterday was a particularly promising day as I had an appointment to show four quality homes and my wife and daughter were holding an open house that we felt would lead to new clients and sales. Unfortunately, the open house was a bust and my appointment ended with an unrealistic offer on a property. When the three of us got home that night my daughter said “life sucks.” I made light of it and we changed the conversation. However, this morning while I was taking her to a part time job she stated that “life can’t get any worse than this.” For the rest of the drive we talked about our good health, the love that we have and share with family and friends and how even though her Mom and Dad have had setbacks we still believe in love and a light at the end of the tunnel. We talked about being grateful and to concentrate on the good things as much as possible. It made me realize just how important it is to stay positive and to be thankful in front of our children. I need to make sure that I “stay on the bus” but even more importantly to make sure that my family “is on the bus too.”

  4. By Jeffrey Friend on Feb 22, 2010

    Thank you for this list of 11 Benefits of Being Positive Jon. I know that it’s not easy to put a list like this together! I have personally been in both positive and negative work environments (especially through this recession!), and it is SO true that positive sales teams outperform negative sales team (and team leaders for that matter).

    In relationships, couples can either lift each other up or drag each other down (I’m sure we’ve all experienced this), so you’re so right in saying that both people need to be able to see the bigger picture. It helps to get through the seemingly negative moments in life.

    Thanks again Jon!

    Jeff

  5. By Janet on Feb 22, 2010

    God and good music.

  6. By Bob Mc. on Feb 22, 2010

    Jon - All good words of advice. I guess one could compare being “positive” to correctly jump starting a car. Get your wires crossed on your “positivity” and results are not nearly as effective. Finding and expressing positivity is great. You’ve touched on this subject in a variety of ways in your writing, and maybe for a future topic you could delve into ways of maintaining it. I remember during one of your conference call questions, you told a lady to focous on small successes. I am tyring to do the same. And Challenged Dad, I’m in about the same boat. As you’ve said Jon, “Why do you think they call it, “A leap of faith?” Thanks again.

  7. By Allan Kenyon on Feb 22, 2010

    Thanks Joh. You made my day. Your books havesaved me from myself many times. When I feel good about myself others seem to gravitate in my direction. Thank you!

  8. By Pam on Feb 23, 2010

    When you stay positive life is automatic, I mean almost everything runs smoothly. I have two little toddlers each time I behave positively they are happy and their faces are kept shining. Thank you for encouraging us to stay positive

  9. By Barbara Dougherty on Feb 23, 2010

    Hi Jon,
    I need to stay positive.My husband had a catastrophic accident 6 years ago he was 38 at the time.He has had 13 surgeries over this period.He almost died twice.He has been on many medications some changed his personality,& not for the better.If I hadn’t stayed positive we would have lost everything.So yes staying positive is key to survival in my family.
    Thank you for your news letters they help me stay on course.Sometimes it’s not easy.But when the going gets tough I count my blessings.It does no good to dwell on the cards delt us,we continue to move forward & persevere…

  10. By Marvin on Feb 24, 2010

    Great info! I would add though that being positive is one of those things that’s simple but not easy. It simply must be a daily thing to decide to be positive.

  11. By Andrew P. Moore on Feb 28, 2010

    This is great stuff. I have tried very hard to focus on the positive over the last few weeks. I have let go of some areas where I was irritated or negative. I have already seen improvements with my family and co-workers. Not to mention that I am not physically feeling the effects of my negative mood.

    Being positive is a choice. Once the choice is made, the habit has to be formed so that the lifestyle will follow. Great Post

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