Purple Ink has a promise that we include in every proposal:

It’s very important to our team to provide excellent customer service, but specifically in the areas of positivity, flexibility, and creativity.  Because of our flexibility and creativity, we are very open to new possibilities and ways to work with customers that make the most sense.  When one of our consultants recently returned from a two-week vacation and viewed the proposals we had been working on, her first comment remarked on how she loved how different the proposals were.  “Different” in terms of the types of services we can provide, and the creative and flexible ways in which we can serve them.

Positivity always comes first.  Admittedly, it’s a strength of mine, and was the premise on which our business was built.  I did not realize, though, that it actually makes us better at the flexibility and creativity.

I recently read a book by Barbara Fredrickson called Positivity. Dr. Fredrickson has dedicated her career to the impact of positivity in all aspects of our lives.  She notes that positivity is NOT a “grin and bear it or don’t worry, be happy” attitude.   It runs deeper than that.  She has researched, from a scientific perspective, that positivity actually increases our appreciation to love and our amusement to joy. It also leads us to be more grateful.  Those attributes, of course, help us to feel better – both mentally and physically.

None of that is probably a surprise to you. What I loved most was that she also proves that increased positivity 1) widens our possibilities; gives us a broader mindset and 2) literally can transform our futures by bringing out the best of us.  Both of these help us to sleep better, be more mindful and resilient, and help us to create better relationships with others.  Pretty powerful stuff!

My take-away, though, is that we just can’t pretend to be positive and expect all of these results.  Even if positivity is a strength of yours, we still have to be intentional about applying it.  Some days it might be more natural than others, but when not, ask yourself questions like “What is right about this situation?”, “What is the best thing happening right now?”, or “What went well for us?”.  Seek out what works, not what doesn’t.  Look for what others excel in, not for what ways in which they struggle.

By asking these questions – of ourselves and of others – it physically and mentally allows our brain to “widen our possibilities” for solutions, advice, and creativity.  Those, then, are what can help transform us – and others – to better at who we are.  Go try it, be more positive today, and tell us if it works for you!