The 5 Benefits of Being Optimistic When running a business, as we all know, there will be difficult days, hard times and stressful periods.
By Zach Cutler Edited by Dan Bova
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When running a business, as we all know, there will be difficult days, hard times and stressful periods. Although it's not easy to spot the silver linings, having a positive attitude can help us push through rough patches.
Here are a few benefits optimism and positivity can bring, even in the face of adversity:
1. See failure as a new start.
Failure is not the end, in fact it is often the beginning of something great. When things are good, we coast along without making any quantum leaps. When things go bad, our world gets shaken up, which requires us to grow, see new things and start afresh.
Related: 3 Ways to Harness the Inner Child in Every Entrepreneur
Optimism allows us to learn from failures, pick up the pieces and move on to something greater. The greatest business ideas, and times in life, can be born from failure.
2. Be expansive.
Pessimism makes us contract and shy away from new or adventurous things. It causes us to fixate on the negative possibilities and be trapped by fear of failure.
Optimism, however, opens us up to new ideas, new experiences and new possibilities. It frees us up to consider new options and change our businesses, and lives, for the better. It helps us look to the future and create expansive, evolving realities.
3. Get healthy.
Dwelling on negativity isn't healthy. Not only are optimists generally happier and less stressed, but also they tend to have healthier hearts.
In a study of more than 5,100 adults, researchers from the University of Illinois found that those who were the most optimistic were 76 percent more likely to have health scores in an ideal range. In addition, optimists had significantly better blood sugar and cholesterol levels, exercised more, and had healthier body mass indexes, and were less likely to smoke than pessimists.
Related: One Simple Exercise That Can Help You Think Through Any Big Decision
Focusing on the positive, instead of the negative, improves mental well-being, which can motivate individuals to take better care of their bodies, as well.
4. Spread good vibes.
Optimism is contagious. Having an upbeat attitude can inspire everyone around us. A survey conducted by Gallup found that only 35 percent of U.S. managers are engaged in their jobs. This lack of engagement and its impact on employees costs the U.S. an estimated $77 billion to $96 billion each year.
Attitude is everything. Optimistic leaders can help motivate and engage their employees. A positive team will be driven to accomplish goals and work together to move things forward.
5. It is the best choice.
There is no better alternative to optimism. Pessimism doesn't achieve much, and doesn't have any benefits over optimism. Being optimistic obviously doesn't mean seeing rainbows 24-7. Everything won't always be great. But optimism helps us see new opportunities, learn from different situations, and keep moving.
In life, movement and growth is essential, which optimism helps us achieve.
