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This Secret to Success Might Just Make You Smile Boost your emotional intelligence and productivity by being more positive.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily

Leading and growing a business isn't easy. Know what helps? Emotional intelligence.

The most effective entrepreneurs are able to stay positive and productive in the face of the ups and downs of the business world. They can dismiss any clouds of negativity that threaten to derail their success and hard work.

Here are five tips to help you become a more positive and confident leader:

1. Take pride in your accomplishments.

Don't let negative comments get you down. Also, avoid the inclination to compare yourself to others. Competition is healthy and helpful, but not if you feel bad about yourself in relation to someone else's achievements.

Related: 5 Unconventional Techniques for Improving Your Company's Culture

2. Protect yourself.

Make sure the decisions you make come from a place of strength. If someone has wronged you in the past, remember it but don't expend energy by holding a grudge.

3. Choose your battles.

Be cognizant of which fights are worth putting your time into and what will ultimately drain you and your resources.

Related: What Needs to Go on Your 'Stop Doing' List?

4. Don't be afraid to fail.

Successful business leaders don't let a fear of failure paralyze them and prevent them from innovating.

5. Look to the future.

Dwelling on problems that plagued you in the past will only keep you from coming up with the solutions that will help you now. Having your eye on what's next will make you feel more positive about your current state.

For four more tips about how to stay positive, check out the video above.

Related: 10 Approaches to Handle the Burden of Leadership

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

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