Tag: Positive

Optimistic Leadership…

Nelson Mandela said, “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

We are challenged to remain positive and optimistic in a world filled with the kind of hatred that fosters negativity and pessimism.

Dark moments will come, but biblical leaders understand the hope in Christ that endures despair.

The victory Jesus achieved must keep us focused and moving forward.

Positive and Godly Influences…

The world is filled with negativity. We cannot escape a negative and toxic environment. However, we can choose to allow or not allow these negative and toxic elements to take up residence in our mind.

A few suggestions might help when considering what to do.

Avoid as much negativity as possible.
Learn to walk away or turn it off.
Find positive people to spend time with daily.
Be the most enthusiastic person you know (Pro. 23:7).

The choice is ours, but leadership thrives when the mind dwells on positive and godly influences (Phil. 4:8).

The Power of Optimism…

Optimism includes hope and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something.

The negative nature of life’s experiences can hinder optimistic leadership, but here are a few suggestions to lead with optimism.

1) Remember, not everyone is against you.
2) Stop trying to live in or change the past, you cannot.
3) Be surrounded by optimistic people who cast a vision of hope.
4) Be realistic about personal expectations.
5) Accept who you are as a person.
6) Express gratitude for what you have physically and spiritually.
7) Reflect more often on the positive areas of life.

Try being optimistic and see how contagious it becomes.

Leadership Attitude…

What if everyday were like a holiday?

While we will not explore all this means or could mean, we need to consider the attitude behind it.

Life is about our approach. If we make up our mind to approach life with a negative attitude, then all we see is negativity.

However, if we choose to approach life with the “everyday’s a holiday” attitude, then what we see is positivity.

The biblical concept of being blessed is a mindset that cannot be affected by outside circumstances. If we look closely, we will also find that being blessed is a choice. Maybe everyday can be a holiday.

Leadership Preparation…

Preparation today makes a difference tomorrow.

What are we preparing for today?

1) God’s guidance in seeking the right priorities.
2) Focus on what is important, not urgent.
3) Trust that if tomorrow doesn’t arrive, we accomplished what matters most.
4) Never miss an opportunity to tell someone, “I love you.”
5) Do something nice for someone who will never find out.
6) Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
7) Close the day with prayer giving thanks for the good and bad.

These are a few ideas, but regardless of what happens, if we follow them we will live a full life.

Laying Bricks…

Leadership is rewarding, but it can be difficult. We often spend our time focusing on the negative and challenging areas of leadership. The trick is learning how to turn the negative into positive, to take the challenge and turn it into success.

David Brinkley said, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

Brinkley’s thought is a wonderful advice. The ability to take what comes at us as leaders and use it to lay a foundation for the future is critical to success.

It may not be the most pleasurable approach, but the outcome is worth the time in the wilderness.