When it comes to being positive and optimistic, it's easy to be reminded of the old adage of whether you see the glass as half empty or half full. This cliché is used more often or not to show how the same situation may be looked at either positively or negatively.
One tool that is often used to help people begin to think more positively or to become more optimistic is called positive re-framing.
Re-framing basically means that you take a situation that could be deemed negative and turning that experience into one that is a more objective, positive and empowering manner.
There are plenty of examples of how you can use positive re-framing.
Let's say that you are working at a new job and you want to make a good impression.
However, on your first day you send out an email that is only supposed to go to your supervisor, but instead it is sent to all of your co-workers. This email happens to contain some personal information about your current financial situation and is rather embarrassing.
So what can you do about this blunder? There are several ways that you can handle this situation.
A positive way to handle it is to turn this stupid mistake into a joke, perhaps replying to the email stating that at least it wasn't a naked picture or an adult website link. This response will likely make your co-workers laugh and have a more positive, funny, intelligent impression of you.
The other option is to become embarrassed, too apologetic or to avoid contact entirely. This overreaction will likely lead to a negative impression from co-workers because you've taken things too seriously and have made the work environment not as light and friendly.
When considering positive re-framing, it is important to note that it does not change what had actually happened. In the above example you cannot change the fact that you sent out personal information to your new co-workers.
While the situation cannot be changed, the way that you respond to the situation can be changed.
Using humor is a wonderful way to diffuse tension and make a difference in a situation that could otherwise be difficult, awkward and self-sabotaging.
All in all, optimistic people tend to look for the good in all things.
It is crucial to remind yourself that bad things are going to inevitably happen in your life. Positive re-framing is a fantastic way to make things a lot better when something embarrassing or bad comes up.
Take the time to look at all situations carefully and determine how you can re-frame the situation to make it more optimistic, fun and interesting. This will definitely make a huge improvement in the quality of your life.
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