How Prioritizing Positivity Creates a Positive Shift in Our Lives

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Let’s talk about positivity.

More specifically, let’s talk about the power that cultivating positive emotions has on ourselves, our teams, and ultimately, our outcomes.

Before we get any further, there is an important distinction to be made: when we talk about “positivity” in this context especially, it is not the rose-colored, “don’t worry - be happy,” filtering out of all friction or issues. Instead, when we “prioritize positivity,” we are creating space for solutions, innovation, true discussion, and understanding.

Let’s look at some of the science…

When teams and individuals increase their daily diet of positive emotions like joy, gratitude, meaning, curiosity, or motivation, the science demonstrates they…

Find more purpose in life
Report fewer aches and pains
Feel more effective at what they do
Increase their positive interactions with others
Are exponentially more creative and innovative
They sleep way, way better

These are results of the “broadening” effect of positive emotions, researched by Dr. Barbara Frederickson, as opposed to negative, narrowing emotions like anger, sadness, judgment, or guilt.

The broadening of positive emotions takes us out of our “zoomed in” amygdala and gives us access to our “zoomed out,” resourceful, curious, courageous prefrontal cortex. This high-functioning, “adult” part of our brain is where all the magic of things like perspective, flexibility, reasoning, and empathy happen.

So why do we want to Prioritize Positivity?

Negativity breeds more negativity while positivity cultivates more positivity.

Negative emotions perpetuate each other which often looks like...

When I am fearful, I want to escape.
When I am ashamed, I want to disappear.
When I am angry, I want to attack.

On the other hand, positive, expansive emotions create upward spirals…

When I am happy, I want to play.
When I am interested, I want to explore.
When I am grateful, I want to savor.

Can you think of a time where you tried to take action or make a big decision while you were feeling fearful, ashamed, or angry? It probably felt very different (perhaps more confined, difficult, or overwhelming) than a time you were happy, interested, or grateful.

When we begin the practice of prioritizing positivity, we are not negating the very real, negative emotions that may also be present. We are simply prioritizing, making space for, and valuing positive emotions without analyzing or obsessively seeking them.

As we practice the skill of prioritizing positivity, we develop a certain emotional resilience. We become more skilled at drawing on our internal and external resources to move up through those downward spirals.

Put It Into Practice

Now that we’ve talked about just how awesome positivity is, here is an exercise for you to practice. It’s a quick, common exercise to get you thinking and feeling more joyful.

Think of something you are grateful for.
1. My personal example: I’m grateful for my best friend, Mary.
Get really specific about what you most appreciate about that thing right now.
1. Ex: More specifically, I am grateful for Mary’s willingness to show up for me in the tough and happy moments, equally.
Write it down. Include a specific instance of when you noticed that element of gratitude.
1. Ex: When I was really hurt and Mary took a break from her busy day to help me process.
Reflect. Take some slow breaths and really bring to mind that specific gratitude. What does it feel like to think about this thing you are grateful for?

To take this even further… share this gratitude with someone! Call a friend, a loved one, anyone who would engage with you in this exercise. You can even hit ‘reply’ and share your gratitude with me.

When we share positive emotions with others, we open up, including them in our sense of self. Connection is one of the Four Pillars to a Thriving Life and sharing the things that bring us joy and meaning is an incredibly powerful way to connect.