Use the Power of Positive Thinking To Get Back to Normal

 While Norman Vincent Peale (1998-1994) was a prolific writer, “The Power of Positive Thinking” was by far his most widely read work.  The book was first published in 1952. Now, over 60 years later, advances in cognitive psychology and neuroscience have added some scientific evidence to his theory. 

These recent advances in cognitive psychology and neuroscience have shown, as the scientists say, “how our life’s ups and downs activate different neural circuits in the brain and create rapid changes in a range of important neurotransmitters.”  In other words changes in brain chemistry can alter how we think which then relates to how we feel and then how we behave.

Consider the following conclusions that were derived from a large meta-analysis combining the findings of over 225 academic studies on employees with a positive psychological wellbeing:

• They have on average 31% higher productivity  
• Their sales are 37% higher
• Their creativity is three times higher
• Are highly predictive to have long-term physical health
• Are less likely to have elevated levels of stress and stress related illness
• Avoid the anxiety that triggers depression

Simply put, these studies point to the fact that negative emotions that are caused by anxiety, fear, anger, stress, self-doubt etc. closes our brain off from the outside world where positive emotions broaden the sense of possibility and opens our mind to more positive options. 

Is it fair to assume that the most engaged employees will be your most positive employees? And building a positive culture will provide some long term positive results.

Certainly, the pandemic and aftermath have made it very difficult to maintain a positive environment when there are so many factions pulling us apart.  But don’t discount the power of being positive whenever and where ever you can in the workplace (and at home for that matter).  It works and can help us all get back the “normal”.