Have you ever worked with someone who hates what he or she is doing? Every day, they put out a toxic vibe that negatively affects everyone in their sphere of influence.
While it’s bad enough when that person is a colleague, at least you can duck out of their vampire-like tendencies to bring you down. However, when you’re an entrepreneur, you cannot afford to be anything other than genuinely enthusiastic about every aspect of your job… right down to paying your quarterly taxes!
Is it fair that you aren’t “allowed” to grumble and show the world a sour face? Maybe not. Yet, it’s the only way you’re going to encourage people to work with you. You’re no doubt being watched all the time by potential clients, investors and your business peers just to name a few. They need to observe you as an optimistic problem-solver, not a “Debbie Downer.”
If you’ve been having difficulty keeping yourself on an uplifting track, don’t worry. Below are a few tips for how to turn you into an enthusiastic representative of your company, brand, and/or product.
1. Make An Effort to Stop Bringing Others Down
Having a bad day? Had a bad week? Are accounts receivable down? Keep it to yourself – or a very small core group, such as your significant other and best friend. The more you talk about how terrible things are, the worse they’ll become. The reasoning is simple: When clients or teammates hear you gripe, they’ll feed off that negative energy. Suddenly, their days will be awful, too. It’s a vicious cycle. Remember: You’re not a victim, so never act like one.
2. Start a Workout Regimen
Feeling healthier has been shown time and again to positively affect how you promote yourself to others. If you feel good, you tend to see the glass as half-full. Perhaps you’ve been under-the-gun lately and unable to get to the gym, the tennis court, the hockey rink or the yoga studio. Now is the time to re-start your workout schedule. Put it into your Outlook or Google calendar, and don’t move it unless there’s a catastrophe.
3. Aim the Be the Most Motivated Employee at Your Company
It’s time for you to be the smartest, toughest worker in your company. Whether you’re the boss or a middle manager, you can be seen as a leader if you put in a little extra effort. You don’t have to work 80-hour work weeks, either. Just work smarter than everyone else. You’ll feel a rush of power every day you don’t fall into the trap of spending too much time on personal social media or gossiping in the lunchroom.
4. Look for Opportunities to Grow
No one gets far in life if they aren’t willing to learn new things. This year, plan to go to a convention, take a series of webinars or read at least one book per month. The more you educate yourself, the better you’ll feel about your abilities. Plus, you’ll be able to share your newfound knowledge with everyone else! Teaching others is a wonderful way to feel more positive and showcase your enthusiasm.
5. Default to Positivity
You’ve probably pretended to be happy before in situations that were less-than-wonderful. The next time you’re feeling like the universe is ganging up on you, put on a smile. This kind of “internal acting” can actually change your mood. The more you tell yourself things are actually pretty darn good, the more you’ll start to believe what you’re saying.
6. Do Something for Someone Else
No matter how bad things are, there’s always someone who could use a little helping hand. When your enthusiasm is running low, volunteer at your child’s school, help out at a homeless shelter or stock the shelves at a local food pantry. You’ll be shocked at how fast your outlook is transformed.
7. Kick Bad Habits
Whether it’s smoking, drinking, or even something as simple as negative self-statements, it’s time to quit the habits that are ruining your health and energy. People who struggle with addictions can’t fully focus on what’s important in life or business. By actively modifying your behaviors and habits you’ll be allowing yourself to have more room for happiness in your life and work.
One warning: As you become more enthusiastic, your social calendar and prospects are going to increase. Therefore, you’ll have to make sure you’re ready for improved success and connections beyond what you have today!
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