140. Keeping an Optimistic Mindset

This is the first in our Confidence and Self-Belief mini-series where it is all about you and your mind. Having an optimistic mindset is linked to all sorts of benefits including health, wellbeing, professional achievements and better personal relationships. Twin studies suggest that an optimistic mindset is 30-40% linked to our genes, with 60-70%  down to nurture. Being optimistic, there is a choice which we can practice more so it becomes a habit. But how do we keep optimistic, on the tougher days -  particularly if we are surrounded by people who are caught up in the doom and gloom. Even for the Tiggers amongst us, the Eeyores at some point can chip away at how hopeful we feel about now and the future. We explore the purpose of optimism, generational trends in how to keep positive in the face of adversity and take a look at Martin Seligman's 3 Ps of optimism (not taking things overly Personally, keeping setbacks compartmentalised rather than overly Pervasive and remembering that things will pass in time rather than Permanence). We discuss what to watch out for when we are being overly optimistic, and how we can shift conversations with others towards a more 'can do' rather than 'cant do' direction.  Fancy a deeper dive? Here are some related past episodes from our library:Ep. 127. Shifting Teams Above The Drama Line - useful tips if lots of team dramasEp. 112. Managing Upwards - Who's They?  - taking action to make things betterEp. 107. Keeping Motivated When The Chips Are Down - keeping  the spark going