Do you know the effects of positivity?
Did you know that how you see the world affects what positive things you get in return?
A group of scientists got together and offered a group of people $5 if they looked through a magazine and counted all the pictures in it correctly. What they didn’t know was in big bold writing there was a box that said, “Stop here and you’ll get $150!”
The individuals who said they are optimistic and see challenges as a way to grow instead of a permanent situation found the box. Those that classified themselves as pessimistic and saw the world and challenges as a permanent situation didn’t find the box and continued counting the pictures.
One of my favorite quotes about this is:
“Our beliefs change our actions in the world”
Shawn Achor
In today’s society what people view as happiness actually causes us more pain. It has the opposite effect instead of bringing joy. There are places in the world that by most standards you would think are more depressed and lack happiness.
Places that are poor, with little money, little food and a government that’s corrupt. However upon some scientists visiting these places they actually found these individuals to be the happiest people they’d met in the whole world.
With little control in life what brought them happiness was connection. When people have a deep rooted connection with others, it brings immense joy. For the wealthy you would think they were at their peak of happiness right? Wrong. The wealthy are one of the most common who struggle with finding happiness in their life.
This might be because they are always working at now spending time with their family. Maybe they’re traveling a lot and not interacting with those they love and creating those connections.
An important thing to note is those who view themselves as optimistic individuals find happiness in whatever they are doing. They could be putting in long hours at work, starting a new business, or on a really long run in pain, and still, find happiness.
Putting in long hours at work can bring you joy because you feel fulfilled.
Starting a new business can bring you joy because you have a purpose, and meaningful.
On a really long run with sore legs can bring you joy because you are pushing yourself more than you have before.
A lot of people in our society actually fear happiness because they fear it will make them not try as hard. Once they achieve this ultimate happiness, then what? What will they have to work for?
That fear is of pleasure. Joy actually has an opposite effect by fueling our desire to connect with other people. Makes us want to deepen our relationships and makes us want to figure out how we can achieve our potential. As stated by Shaun Achor in the “Live Happy Now” podcast -The Happiness Advantage.
Sometimes the least happy places in the world are the wealthiest. Really take a moment to soak that in.
The greatest predictor of long term happiness is connection as Shawn Achor says. It’s more powerful than the correlation between cancer and those who smoke.
By continuing to create and maintain connections the chances of you being happy are significantly higher. It can even give you a longer life span.
Those who identify with being a pessimist view their life as hard. They consider themselves as unlucky and hard times never seem to pass. Whereas, individuals who consider themselves optimistic view their life as lucky. Things seem to go their way and they are lucky in their jobs and relationships.
Their outlook directly correlates with what they recieve in life. Those with a positive mindset receive raises more and have successful relationships. Those who are pessimistic receive less in life. Things will never go their way and life is hard no matter what is happening.
So make the choice today to change your outlook on life one time each day! Not only will it make you happier as you shift your mindset, but will also bring you more in life.
How much is negativity and stress really worth in your life?
Be safe out there,
All my love,
Talesha