I recently heard the phrase "toxic positivity," which sounded contradictory. How can positivity be toxic? I know not everybody wants to hear about the “power of a positive mindset” and “everything happens for a reason.” But toxic?
It’s not saying that all positivity is bad, but if you’re portraying yourself as being happy no matter what, or shutting out anything that might be viewed as negative, that’s the problem. It's also encouraging everyone to always see the bright side, or to keep anything bad ...
I recently heard the phrase "toxic positivity," which sounded contradictory. How can positivity be toxic? I know not everybody wants to hear about the “power of a positive mindset” and “everything happens for a reason.” But toxic?
It’s not saying that all positivity is bad, but if you’re portraying yourself as being happy no matter what, or shutting out anything that might be viewed as negative, that’s the problem. It's also encouraging everyone to always see the bright side, or to keep anything bad buried instead of opening up about it. That can be dangerous, too. Sometimes that kind of insincere positivity can lead to unintended harm, misunderstanding, or worse. Thinking about it in that context, I can understand why the word “toxic” might apply.
But my optimism is grounded in realism. It’s not about pretending that nothing bad ever happens or thinking that how you feel when something does is wrong. It’s about accepting the situation and making the choice to find something good in it. That’s not always easy. You can’t necessarily see it right away. It can take some active effort, but just like with anything, with practice it can become habit to search for the good instead of focusing on the bad. Here are some of the ways I apply a positive mindset to my business and personal life.
01:30 My “1-day rule” for negative feelings
02:05 Being practical about what I can control
02:25 We can feel a lot of different things at once.
03:05 Making positivity a habit using the Improv concept of "Yes, and..."
04:07 What does all this talk about feelings have to do with business? When you have a positive, solution-oriented way of thinking, you can work through obstacles more effectively. And that is crucial in business.
04:34 Mindset is a huge part of my business coaching, because people need to understand the "why"
05:33 Change “I have to” to “I get to”
06:03 Little shifts in the way you think can drastically impact to how you feel about your business, the people around you, and so much more. When it comes down to it, positivity isn’t going to solve the world’s problems, or even your own. It’s not going to prevent bad things from happening. But, if you choose to be optimistic and focus on the good, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come your way. And that helps you build a stronger business. There’s nothing toxic about it.
Connect with me through your favorite platform: https://pods.link/aardvarkgirl
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