How can a group of 80 million young Americans suffering from mind-bogglingly high unemployment rates still be positive, buoyant and survive? Leave it to Millennials to do exactly that.
With $200 billion in buying power, they are optimistic, confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change—according to research from the Pew Research Center.
Once you “get” the importance of positivity for these young men and women, you have the key to effectively connect with them. Simply put, they have little or no room for negativity in their lives.
Look at the type of organizations Millennials gravitate towards. These workplaces are more likely filled with positive, mission-driven, passionate folks who are focused on doing good, and proud of what they achieve, than negative people who have a problem for every solution.
Companies such as Dove, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola understand the value of promoting feelings of positivity and happiness in attempting to connect with Millennials—who often turn away from traditional, negative, forms of advertising. These two companies have turned to Twitter to advance positivity. Kristina Monllos, of Adweek, noted, “According to a recent study by ZenithOptimedia, ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ brands that can help Millennials achieve happiness stand the best chance of securing long-lasting and profitable relationships with that consumer group.”
We can all learn from this adherence to positivity regardless of our circumstances.
Here are 3 thoughts to keep in mind when your negative flows:
1. “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”- Anais Nin
It’s far too common, and easy, to focus on the external circumstances in life and to view them through a problem filter mindset. Ask yourself instead, “ What’s one thing that is positive or good about my current situation?” “What opportunity do I have to advance in this circumstance?” If your mindset lens allows in only what can go right even about the worst of circumstances, rather than what’ll going wrong, just think of how your reactions change. In other words, as Tony Robbins observed, “Decide to develop the habit of focusing on what’s right in your world instead of what’s wrong…”
2. The battle you are going through is not fueled by the words or actions of others; it is fueled by the mind that gives it importance.” –Shannon Adler
Nothing happens TO you. See life as happening FOR you, and your entire perspective changes. Place events, circumstances, situations, people, places, things, even the Apple Watch that holds the positive promise to MAKE you want to eat healthier and workout more, into a broader perspective, one that puts you in the driver’s seat of reactions. You can’t control the traffic, the weather, the boss, the rock that hit your windshield, but you do have control over the most important lever in life—your thoughts about those events…and your thoughts about the Apple Watch. Mind racing ahead of your? Shout “STOP” as loud as you can, catch your breath and your thoughts, give yourself a moment to challenge those thoughts, and move forward with changed, healthier, more positive thinking. For as Charles Glassman noted, “Believing in negative thoughts is the single greatest obstruction to success.”
3. “To be of good quality, you have to excuse yourself from the presence of shallow and callow minded individuals.” – Michael Bassey Johnson
Ahhh, negative neighbors, co-workers, friends, teammates…can it get any worse than this? These are the life-sucking, downward draggers who emphasize your stumbling blocks instead of the thrusters and lifters in life that point you towards your stepping-stones. Be honest about it…you don’t like hearing the negativity from these people who turn rainbows gray, do you? Without anger, without trying to change them, without guilt, without feeling stuck, simply release yourself and walk away. Nicely. As someone once noted, “Goodbye” is the best ever gift that you can receive from worse friends. Never hesitate to wave it back...”
Michael R. Mantell earned his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and his M.S. at Hahnemann Medical College, where he wrote his thesis on the psychological aspects of obesity. His career includes serving as the Chief Psychologist for Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and as the founding Chief Psychologist for the San Diego Police Department. He served on the faculty of UCSD’s School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry. After 40 years of diagnosing and treating mental illness, he has retired from clinical practice---and as he describes, is now “reFired” and “reWired.”
He provides advanced behavior science coaching for sustainable strategic outcomes in mindful, values driven and positively adaptive ways to business leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, individuals, families and organizations to reach breakthrough levels of success and significance in their professional and personal lives.
Michael is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Council on Active Aging, the Chief Consultant for Behavior Science for the Premier Fitness Camp at Omni La Costa, and served as the Senior Consultant for Behavioral Sciences for the American Council on Exercise. He travels the world speaking with fitness and health professionals to provide the most current thinking and tools for behavior change. He has been a member of SAG/AFTRA since 1981, having appeared regularly on Good Morning America, as well as numerous talk shows and weekly appearances on TV and radio news.
Michael is an Organizational Advisor to Fitwall, Rock My Run, amSTATZ, speaks for Rancho La Puerta and the Asia Fitness Conference and Expo, in addition to numerous other fitness-health organizations throughout the nation. He is interviewed frequently for fitness and health magazines including Details Magazine, Men’s Health USA and UK, Women’s Health US and UK, Weight Watchers, Shape, Natural Health, Real Simple, Women’s World, MetRx, Better Homes and Gardens and a host of others in the health/wellness/fitness world. He has written for, and spoken for the International Council on Active Aging, the Medical Fitness Association, Athletic Business, IHRSA, and a host of other professional organizations in the health and fitness fields. He has been a keynote speaker for the University of California FitCon and UCLA “Stress Less Week.”
He is a best-selling author of three books including the 25th Anniversary updated edition of his 1988 original “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, P.S. It’s All Small Stuff,” and his 1996, “Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace.” Heis listed in greatist.com’s 2013 “The 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness.” His fourth book is due out soon.