Do you believe that thinking positive can actually influence an outcome, or do you believe it’s a bunch of bologna? If you believe the latter, you may want to reconsider.

Barbara Fredrickson, a positive psychology researcher at the University of North Carolina, recently conducted studies showing how positive emotions affect the inner workings of the participants’ brains.

Her conclusion: when we are engulfed in negativity, our mind shuts down to considering other options.

What Is Positive Thinking?

According to Remez Sasson, founder of Success Consciousness, positive thinking is a mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results. In other words, if you think positively, positive things will occur.

Both positive and negative thinking are contagious, both for the individual and those around them. Adapting this positive outlook means making a lifestyle change to rewire the way your brain looks at events.

Negative Thoughts vs. Positive Thoughts

Barbara Fredrickson’s studies explain that our minds respond differently to negative thoughts and positive thoughts. Positive thoughts lead to seeing more possibilities and opportunities in a given situation.

On the other hand, negative emotions close and narrow what you’re able to focus on. Your mind shuts down to the world around you and limits the possibilities you’re able to see.

How Does It Work?

Pretend you have an important presentation to give in front of your superiors or a potential client. This speech could go one of two ways:

Scenario 1: You work yourself up into such a nervous frenzy that your mind starts to think of all the possible mistakes and embarrassing things that could unveil during your presentation. Once you finally begin your speech, your mind is not focused, your body is shutting down from nerves, and you end up blowing your presentation. In other words, you willed yourself to fail.

Scenario 2: You’ve been preparing and practicing for this presentation all week, you know you’re going to nail it, and you keep telling yourself you’re going to do great. When it comes time to give your speech, your mind is clear, your body is calm but energized, and you hit it out of the park! In other words, your positivity and self-confidence led to your success.

Share your positivity! Tell us what you’re feeling positive about!