NAB Perspective | Optimism in a Dark Time
Americans are finding it difficult to be optimistic is this time of great uncertainty. Here we are a year after the start of this public health emergency and many parts of our country are still shut down as we wait for the majority of our citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As they watch the evening news and surf social media and the internet, people are starting to lose hope that their businesses and cities will open back up, that they will be able to hug their nursing home bound family members, and that we will all be wearing these God forsaken masks forever.
Optimism is a positive energy. Those who have optimism have hope, and those who don’t suck the energy right out of others. As Harry S. Truman once said, “A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.” Optimism is a mental attitude characterized by hope and confidence, as well as expecting good things to happen. Optimists tend to bounce back more easily from difficult situations. They are more resilient.
As managers and leaders, it is our responsibility to motivate, engage our staff, and to accomplish goals. Optimism is contagious. A positive attitude inspires others. Give positive feedback every day.
Attitudes can be changed when a person takes deliberate measures to become an optimistic person. Optimism is a learned skill for most people. In my opinion, the most beneficial way to change is to practice gratitude. Be thankful for your current situation and share that thankfulness with others. Smile. A smile is contagious, try it. Do what you are good at as often as possible. My personal favorite is to open yourself up to humor. It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine and I completely believe that is true. Count your blessings and partake in random acts of kindness. Engage with your employees. Encourage them to change their thinking to a positive point of view which will in turn lead to achievement, which leads to an energized, productive employee.
Don’t let negativity suck the energy from you or your other employees. Look at failure as a new start. It’s an opportunity to learn, pick up the pieces, and move on. An optimistic outlook has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. It reduces stress. It creates an atmosphere that employees want to work in. Employees are happier and have better relationships with their co-workers.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”-Martin Luther King Jr.
Representing your National Advisory Board,