When it comes to performance, you’re either on the way up or on the way down. As leaders, we soak up the energy of all our people, so it is even harder to stay on the way up.
Here’s how to end a negative spiral and start a positive spiral of performance. 👇
Here’s the dirty secret about mindset and performance: 👂
Hope and fear are the two motivators in life. These motivators trigger different parts of the brain. And, unfortunately, fear overwhelms hope. 💡 This is why it is harder to stop a negative slide and continue a positive one.
And it makes sense. Our ancestral bias towards survival mode kept us alive from threats. As a result, we always look 👀 for the negative. It is easier (and more natural) to slip into negative thoughts than it is to maintain positive ones.
So as a leader, your goal is to create and stay in positive spirals more often – for yourself and your people.
But how…
📍 The first step is to recognize that the choice exists in each moment to change – or continue – your path. It is always up to you. You and you alone have the power. Take agency over your decisions.
📍 The more clarity you have in the “why” of achieving your goals, the greater motivation – and determination and grit when it is tough – you will have to get after it. Do the work to clearly define your vision and values. It will sustain you when shit is hard.
📍 Have a “bad” moment that created a negative spiral? Use this powerful thought to take control, “I will not allow my bad decisions from yesterday to preclude me from making healthy decisions today.”
📍 Do something – anything – that aligns with where you want to be in life. Eat a healthy snack. Go for a walk. Journal. Send a text of gratitude. Bang! Crisis averted. Slide stopped. A positive spiral started.
The bonus round of spiral stoppers:
💥 Community is everything. We don’t do life alone. Surround yourself with positive, loving people – there are few things greater than intentionally putting cool people in your world who recognize problems are simply opportunities in work clothes.
💥 Meditate or pray daily – find peace and positive direction through daily quiet thought and reflection. When we find a higher purpose, we find positivity.
💥 Help Others – service and gratitude change your mindset, so in helping others, we re-wire our brain for positivity.
☝️ Remember: It only takes one action to stop the slide and a second action to start a positive spiral.
What other tricks do you use to stop your slide and start your positive spiral?
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