Key to success: How to develop traits of positive attitude at work

How do you feel about your work? Do you look forward to learning from challenges or do you see them as irritants that hamper your peace? The sort of attitude you carry at work can go a long way in determining your job satisfaction. A Harvard Business Review article Proof That Positive Work Cultures Are More Productive says, “Not only is a cut-throat environment harmful to productivity over time, but that a positive environment will lead to dramatic benefits for employers, employees, and the bottom line.”

However, despite the numerous benefits of a positive attitude at work, developing the same is not as easy as it sounds. When you are at work, you can easily get consumed with your self-limiting thoughts. During such times, you may have to work extra hard to keep the negativity at bay.

A negative attitude can severely impact your performance and productivity. You will only strive to get through the day, rather than take initiative, succeed and thrive. A study titled An analysis of causes of poor attitude to work suggests that “an organisation cannot prosper well, succeed, grow or even survive without adequately addressing the issue of poor attitude.”

However, you can go a long way in cultivating a positive attitude at work by being respectful, inclusive and supportive towards your co-workers. Here are seven effective ways to develop a positive frame of mind at work.

Identify negative thought patterns

The key to identifying negative thought patterns is to track down the source of such type of thinking. For instance, you may think that your worth is solely defined by your achievements. You feel good as long as you can achieve your goals. But when faced with unexpected setbacks, you feel an exaggerated sense of severity and guilt, which ultimately hinders your progress. To overcome such self-limiting thoughts, notice how you react to different problems. Do you face the problem head-on or do you shift the blame? Once you confront your negative behaviour, you can take back control of your thoughts.

Stop comparing yourself to others

One of the most destructive habits at work is to constantly compare yourself to others and their achievements. This attitude will hurt your self-esteem and create negativity and resentment. A solution to this problem would be to look inward and identify your strengths and areas of improvement. Evaluate how much you have learned, what you have achieved, and what more you need to do to achieve your goals. By doing so, you will be concentrate on honing your skills and working towards your objective without any external pressure.

Pay attention to your wellbeing

In today’s fast-paced work environment, the pressures to meet deadlines and staying on top of your game may lead to work stress and burnout. Chaining yourself to your desk is a recipe for disaster and will only make you feel overwhelmed. To avoid this, you need to prioritise your physical and mental wellbeing. Eat well, stay hydrated, get ample rest and stay physically active. Also, take frequent short breaks from work to recharge your mind and avoid stress.

Spend time with positive people

If you are surrounded by people who constantly complain, engage in gossip, or have a negative outlook towards work, you might become like them. Hence, it is important to be conscious about how much time you spend with them. Express your displeasure by simply walking away or changing the topic of conversation. Focus on connecting with people who are passionate about their job, who exchange new ideas and maintain a positive outlook in general.

Practice gratitude

It is easy to get caught up in the endless demands of your daily work routine. But even when you are busy, pausing to appreciate yourself for a job well done, however small, can help build a positive attitude. Similarly, congratulating a co-worker for their accomplishment can help foster gratitude and harmony. When you express gratitude towards your job, you are less likely to complain and more likely to deliver your best.

Be open to new challenges and responsibilities

A job becomes more than just a means of livelihood when you find it enjoyable. When you push yourself out of your comfort zone, you learn to face challenges on your own and allow your skills to expand. By diversifying your scope of work and responsibilities, you can also enhance your career growth. Taking on new roles and learning opportunities will not only help you become more productive but also enable you to realise your true potential.

Build positive relations with your co-workers

Building harmonious relationships at work can have a positive impact on your attitude. You will start feeling more comfortable and less intimidated when you develop a close bond with the people you spend a major part of your day with. According to a report titled The Effect of Work Relationships on Organizational Culture and Commitment, “Having friends at work increases commitment to the company. Our engagement, trust in leaders, satisfaction, and intent to stay hinge on having friends at work. The more friends we have, the more committed we become to our companies.”