b'Is there a Correlation Between Positivity and Success?By: William I. Brazley Jr.Human Resources DirectorI MORE =think we all realize that life has itsPOSITIVEups and downs; hopefully more ofTHINKING?the former than the latter. We have heard the encouraging phrases about staying positive and the power of posi-tive thinking. How many times have you heard that you may not have any control over some of lifes unpleasant circum-stances, but you do have control of how you respond to them? In other words, we will all have our good days and bad days, but our happiness and success will depend on how we are able to handle the hills and valleys of life. Martin Seligman, out of the University of Pennsylvania, went a step further. He conducted extensive research which showed that optimists are physically and psychologically healthier than pessimists. He found higher rates of depression in people who pessimistically attached their failures to personal short comings. How- is real the survival mechanism can be anegative thoughts, the more power you ever, the optimists treated their failures aslife saver. However, when the threat is notgive them. However, negative thoughts a learning experience and believed theyreal or perceived, you believe that you orare not fact. Theyre just thoughts. Are could do better. He found that the healthyour loved one is in danger, your car willyou concerned about something that has of pessimists deteriorated faster as theybreak down because the warranty justalready happened, or about something aged. Mr. Seligman also found a correla- expired or a number of negative things. that might happen? Even if something tion between positivity and performance.has already happened are you worrying The positive thinkers always performedWays to practice positive thinkingyourself sick that the situation might get better than the pessimistic ones. or to change your focus is to think ofworse? Dont create a situation before However, most of the researchers onsomething positive and to focus on theone exists. Stay in the moment and sepa-this subject, including Martin Seligman,present. Think about that nice vacationrate fact from fiction. Focus on the good believe that you can change your ten- youre about to go on or the one youthings, no matter how small they may be. dencies toward pessimistic thinking intojust returned from. Think about how positive thinking with a little practice.your grandchilds face lights up everyAnother clich you may have heard This has been called the power of posi- time he or she sees you. Think aboutis that your attitude determines your tive thinking or changing your focus. Theanything positive that will turn thosealtitude. If you dont think you can, why belief is that your brain needs a little helpnegative thoughts into positive ones. Ifshould anyone else think you can? I in overcoming its negative inner voice.you find that hard to do, try focusing onwhole heartedly believe that your level Researchers believe that our brainsthe present. Dont think about yester- of success is somewhat dependent (not are hardwired to look for and focus onday or tomorrow. Dont think aboutcompletely) on your level of optimism. I threats. This is a survival mechanismhow someone brought you down fivebelieve that hard work is the other factor that served us well during the stoneminutes ago or what might happento success. However, being optimistic ages. There was a real threat every dayfive minutes from now. Most sourcesmeans being confident and confident that someone or something might harmof negativity stem from a memory of apeople arent afraid to work hard be-or kill us. This survival mechanism breedsrecent event or the exaggerated imagi- cause they believe it will pay off. pessimism and negativity which causesnation of a potential future event. Stay inSources: the present moment.How Positivity makes you Healthy and successful the mind to wander until it finds a threat.by Travis Bradberry These threats, or perceived threats,Another good tip is to separate fact7 Practical Tips to Achieve a Positive Mindset by increased the likelihood that somethingfrom fiction when the negative thoughtsLarry Altonwas going to go wrong. When the threatstart to occur. The more you focus onWhat happy, Successful, Optimistic People Know about Life by Steve Rizzo6'