How our frame of mind can affect our self confidence.

Life isn’t all plain sailing. Indeed, hardship, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our lives. Encountering problems is not a bad thing, what matters is the way we deal with it. A positive frame of mind is significant for so many reasons. Positive thinking is proven to increase performance in productivity and quality. We are typically more confident and do better when we are feeling good and well.

There are biological examples of this. A positive frame of mind is due to enhanced levels of neuro transmitters like serotonin that regulate the performance abilities of the mind. The knock results of a positive frame of mind also include enhanced wellbeing not only better mental health but better in the physical sense aswell. This is because of the boost to the immune system that a positive frame of mind can give you.

The reverse is also true, if we are depressed we are far more liable to contracting other diseases and mental health issues. Our relationships with others decline, we start to think irrationally and our confidents can drop. In short this is a frame of mind that is best to avoid at all costs. Feeling depressed ever so often is not unusual but how we decide to deal with a problem comes from our state of mind.

A positive mental attitude is also about giving you a can do attitude. People who think positively are more likely to see challenges rather than issues or possibilities as opposed to difficulties. For instance, entrepreneurs that are successful generally are because they are able to spot opportunities for progress in a marketplace which other people only see troubles in. The positive mental attitude of a successful individual means that opportunity becomes a reality; because they also have the drive and motivation to succeed and make their dream come true. So as you can see there is much to be gained from a positive mental attitude. The issue for numerous people is in developing one in the first place.

Developing a positive frame of mind is not some new aged trend. For hundreds of years religious men and scholars alike searched for and developed tactics to harness an inner tranquility. While this may have begun to make humanity closer to god the essence of this idea is just as relevant in the present day. That a positive frame of mind makes us closer to the divine while a negative frame of mind can only lead us in to ways of being which are a detriment to our lives. Monks realised this long ago which is why they devote themselves to a life of abstinence and mental and spiritual fulfilment.

One of the easiest ways to determine your frame of mind is to reflect on how you are with other people. A good way to do this is to picture how you behave towards people you do not know. Are you outgoing and open to meeting and talking with other people? Or are you insular and afraid. Believe it or not one of the best ways to get over a negative frame of mind is to change your attitude to the world around you and that means the people in it as well. If you are usually awkward around other people then try this experiment.

One night push yourself to strike up a conversation at random in a public place. Do not be concerned about how you look or appear or what you discuss. A reference in regards to the weather or anything will do. Just try it and note how you feel afterwards.

You see, how you are with others will influence the opportunities you get offered. Consider it in this way who is the most likely to get a job between two people of identical ability and experience except for one difference, One is uptight and uncomforable with other people and the other is laid back and comfortable with other people. If I was the boss I know which one I would pick for the Job.

Find it hard to strike up a conversation with people you dont know? For help visit Quentin’s blog on Overcoming social anxiety.