The Silent Killer Of Success
There’s an enemy to success that is much deadlier to dreams than what most people credit failure to.
It’s not being short of capital. It’s not a poorly-written business plan. It’s not lacking a chief aim. It’s not this resource or that one. And it’s certainly not someone else’s issue.
Now, those can all contribute to coming up short on your goals or a business idea tanking, but the real killer is bred far before you even get to that point.
It’s silent, and it’s deadly.
It’s Negativity.
Negativity, if you’re not careful, can seep into our lives without us even realizing it has happened.
It’s swift, and it disguises itself in all shapes, forms and sizes — and most commonly, as something so “ordinary” that you wouldn’t even recognize it as such.
Things like: a difficult workday, entertaining gossip, focusing on things you cannot control, harboring a grudge, complaining, and things alike.
Or it can be something so minimal, so minor — like spilling a glass of water, or getting cut off in traffic — that suddenly feels so BIG.
Negativity has a way of making “mountains out of molehills”.
This can have a serious impact on our lives (and our businesses) if we allow it to take hold because when we do allow it to grab on, it can feel like it takes every ounce of strength we have to shake it off.
But, here’s the good news…
There are ways to combat negativity immediately — to not just stop it from spreading, but to actually cure yourself of it.
The cure is to find ways to inject positivity into your life as soon as you feel negativity start to creep its way toward you.
Here are some ways to put positivity into practice:
→ Do an internal audit — spend some time discovering what the beginning stages of negativity feels like for you, so you can stop it before it hits like a freight train.
It could be that you feel more stressed out, or react to situations more impulsively than usual. It could be that you are withdrawing from social opportunities that you’d normally thrive in. It could be that you are getting more sleep, yet feeling more tired.
Whatever it is for you, identify it so you can combat it quicker.
→ Make time for yourself — do something each day that makes you happy, for no other reason than that.
It could be reading your Bible with a cup of coffee before opening your laptop or checking your email. It could be a quick walk outside to get some fresh air and clear your head.
It doesn’t have to take a ton of your time (remember, you are trying to accomplish a set goal or a profitable business), but it is equally as important to maintain a positive headspace as it is to close a deal.
→ Exercise regularly — this is an immediate, natural mood-booster. The endorphins (happiness hormones) released during movement chemically change the body’s physiology.
When released, endorphins can help relieve pain, reduce stress, and cause a positive, euphoric feeling. In short, they can make you feel pretty darn good.
→ Find the silver lining — there is a positive that can be found in every seemingly negative situation, even if it requires you to look a little harder.
Get a flat tire? Great! I’m grateful for the opportunity to chat with the mechanic and see life from someone else’s perspective.
Client said no? Awesome! Every “no” brings me one step closer to a “yes”.
Lose money on an investment? No big deal. I’ve learned what to look for and what to avoid when making my next investment.
Negativity will have you seeing that you’ve lost; positivity will have you seeing that you’ve learned.
→ Surround yourself with positive people — this is huge!
You are the sum of the 5 people you surround yourself with, which in other terms means, that if you hang around 5 positive people, you’re bound to be the 6th.
(Same rules apply for negative people — choose wisely).
Negativity is strong… but you’re stronger.
Stay strong. Stay positive.
Talk soon,
GP
