Overcoming Negativity

In a world gripped by what is potentially a deep recession, we are surrounded by a sea of negativity and cynicism. Every news bulletin focuses on the impending doom, every newspaper is laden with headlines that scream that more people will be laid off or that another “household name” company is about to go to the wall. We also seem to be going through a phase where our young people are even more than normally at odds with our generation – it’s just not cool to be enthusiastic about anything if you’re under 21, and a cynical underlay seems to subsume every song, book or magazine which appeals to youth culture.

As bloggers, net entrepreneurs, web 2.0 practitioners, or whatever the hell we’re calling ourselves today, we are especially vulnerable to this negativity. Why? Because we don’t have the support of a guaranteed paycheck every month, we don’t have the help of co-workers we can meet and chat to around the water machine, we don’t have a boss to kick us up the backside, and we don’t have to get out of bed every day if we don’t want to!

For these reasons, we need to insulate ourselves from negativity, and from the people we all meet, who are just dying to tell us the latest bad news. Basically we need spades of self motivation and a positive attitude, and I don’t mean that horrendous false “high five” approach to business, which involves invoking the word “Awesome” every three minutes. I’m talking about that deep down resolve which gets us to haul ourselves out of bed at 7AM on a Sunday to write on our blogs, and the grit it takes to plough through an inbox full of crap when you can hear Kristin Scott Thomas on the television in the next room.

We also face daily a lack of understanding from friends and family about what we do for a living. How many of you reading this have had a conversation like this?

“So, what are you up to these days?”

“Well, I’m an internet marketer”

“So, you sell the internet?”

“No, I sell things on the internet.”

“Oh, like Ebay? Yes, but what do you do for a living?”

To overcome all these problems, we need to create a positive environment for ourselves, almost a “bubble” of positivity.

The first thing we must do is leave behind the truly negative people we spend time with currently. This may seem harsh, but we really need to do it. You’ll recognize them – they are the people who always seem to criticize, to complain, to find fault in everything. They will tell you the horror stories about plane crashes and murders. They are bitter, dissatisfied and envious when others do well. Ditch them now! Liken them to someone walking into your house and tipping a bag of rubbish onto the floor of your lounge – you’d kick them out, right? So do it!

Secondly, think before you speak! Are you speaking negatively? If so, stop yourself and switch to a positive track.

Thirdly, when faced with a negative person, respond positively – find something good to say – you’ll be surprised how quickly they will move on when you keep doing that.

Finally, adopt the ten principles of a positive person:

• You are positive

• You have objectives in your life and you know what they are

• You smile a lot

• You are enthusiastic

• You can overcome problems and difficulties

• You rely on yourself

• You know your own strengths and weaknesses

• You help other people

• You have confidence in your own abilities

• You are always ready to learn