Dear PR Matters,
I am beginning my work in communications in a start-up PR agency. During the first few months, I have come to realize that the first step to good PR is to have a positive attitude about work and life.
After all, a large part of public relations is spreading the good news, and this can best be done with a mindset that looks at the bright side of things.
That can be difficult in daily life, with so many challenges—commuting, family concerns, as well as the problems we encounter at work. How can I and my colleagues develop an optimistic attitude at work?
This will be very helpful in servicing and thinking of programs for our clients.
Sincerely,
Terry S.
Dear Terry,
My colleagues and I are happy that early on, you have realized how a positive attitude can help you in your work in public relations. We would like to add that this can also have a positive impact in any kind of work.
In an article “How to Have a Positive Mindset at Work” in Inc.com, Chris Christoff, the co-founder of MonsterInsights, cited a Harvard Medical School study that “a positive mindset can keep your heart healthy, as well as reduce stress and make you a happier person.”
Christoff admitted, however, that “it can be challenging to remind yourself to stay positive—sometimes life happens and things don’t go your way. That’s normal, but it’s essential to remember that it’s not the end of the world and you can conquer anything if you train your brain to think about it the right way.”
Think how your world could be a better place if you decided to “change your mindset and see things in a different light, and view your obstacles as opportunities rather than setbacks.” Christoff then gave us a few tips on how to get started to cultivate a positive mindset at work.
Practice gratitude
When was the last time you thanked someone who has given you good service or done you a personal or professional favor? We live in a world of entitlement, and sadly, we often forget to be grateful.
Research by Harvard Medical School found that “gratitude is linked to happiness and helps people think and feel more positively. When you’re actively going over the aspects of your life or your day that make you feel thankful, it changes your perspective from negative to positive.”
“Imagine all the wonderful things you could accomplish more efficiently if you focused on how to achieve those goals rather than complaining about them,” Christoff said. “It makes a world of difference in your attitude, as well as your work ethic.”
He suggested that we write down at least two or three things we’re grateful for every day at work—the fact that we are able to help our family through our job, submitting our report on time, something new we learned—and make it a continuous habit.
Help your colleagues
Acts of kindness—without expecting anything in return—are powerful. And there’s a science behind it.
Christoff said “several studies outlined in Psychology Today demonstrate that people who perform kind acts for others without expecting anything in return feel happier, healthier and more fulfilled. That’s why it’s essential to apply this to the people you work with every day.”
After all, who wouldn’t want to “cultivate a healthy, team-work oriented relationship with your colleagues? If you have to see them every day, you want to make sure you’re nurturing a positive environment so you can manifest a positive mindset when it comes to work life.”
Stop complaining
We all have our frustrations and bad days, and a little venting session here and there is natural. However, “that doesn’t mean the workplace is the spot to do it or the appropriate company to do it.
Is there an upcoming project you’re dreading to complete, or a meeting you’d rather not attend? Christoff said that “it’s okay to feel negative emotions concerning different aspects of your job, but if the reality is that you just love to complain, it’s time to stop that behavior.”
Being negative, he said, “will only hinder you from doing your best work and put you behind. Stop thinking of hurdles as unfair and instead view them as a better way to perform.”
Smile often
In his article, Christoff said “research conducted by the University of Kansas found that smiling reduces stress and lowers your heart rate during tense situations. When you’re facing obstacles and all you want to do is scream and rip someone’s head off, take a second to relax your breathing and practice smiling instead,”
Smiling, amazingly, “can help trick your brain into believing you’re in an ideal situation for feeling content even if you aren’t. When you come in contact with your coworkers, be friendly and smile.”
Wearing a scowl “will present you as standoffish and will give your colleagues the wrong idea about you. It’s always better to let people see the best of you, especially when you are stuck with them.”
Over to you
Meeting everyday work challenges is difficult enough, and having someone around you with a negative attitude makes things even tougher. Don’t be that person.
Christoff said that “how you present yourself in a work environment shows others whether or not you’re worth working with. Cultivating a positive mindset takes time and practice, especially if you are used to a negative train of thought. But it can enhance your professional life drastically.”
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.
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