If you want to grow a really smart, successful business, you've got
to learn to kill all negativity: other people's and your own.
Instead, encourage positive thoughts, positive viewpoints, explore
positive outcomes. We're satisfied that in education and sport,
positivity breeds confidence and confidence is almost always
attributed to an upturn in performance.
Yet we wrap so many business processes in negativity. While
business owners and entrepreneurs are often viewed as
inspirational, ideas people, they're bombarded by internal and
external negativity from the minute they utter the very notion of
going into business.
The whole start-up process is steeped in negativity. Almost all
business advice comes in the form of caution and we seem to focus
as much on dissuading people than encouraging, let alone assisting.
If your idea isn't picked apart, the economy won't be suitable and
the banks won't be lending. This is compounded on a personal level
by the fear of quitting a regular income and supporting any
dependents.
Of course, I'm not dismissing the value of caution or business
planning, but negativity can be a serious creativity killer you
should resist yielding to. Don't talk or be talked out of all your
great ideas before you've given them a chance.
Why is it our first instinct to dissect every reason why an idea
won't work instead of exhausting why and how it could? The answer
is actually quite simple: it's harder and scarier to be
positive.
It's easy to be negative. Pointing out the dangers and pitfalls,
considering all the downsides, thinking how to minimise risks and
considering resource/time implications makes us feel grown-up,
sensible, and, dare I say it, business-like.
Persevering with positivity is hard. Much tougher. Going out on a
limb, challenging convention and disapproving voices is
uncomfortable and often unnerving. It's the rough ride.
It's also how all progress, creativity and innovation are born too,
though. We should be braver and banish negativity more often to let
positivity and creativity flourish.
If you want to grow a really smart, successful business, you've
got to learn to kill all negativity: other people's and your
own.
Instead, encourage positive thoughts, positive viewpoints,
explore positive outcomes. We're satisfied that in education and
sport, positivity breeds confidence and confidence is almost always
attributed to an upturn in performance.
Yet we wrap so many business processes in negativity. While
business owners and entrepreneurs are often viewed as
inspirational, ideas people, they're bombarded by internal and
external negativity from the minute they utter the very notion of
going into business.
The whole start-up process is steeped in negativity. Almost all
business advice comes in the form of caution and we seem to focus
as much on dissuading people than encouraging them, let alone
assisting them.
If your business idea itself isn't questioned, its business
model almost certainly will, and then there's the economy and lack
of bank lending. Compound this on a personal level with the fear
and risk of jacking in a regular income and supporting any
dependents and it's a wonder anyone ever takes the plunge.
I'm not naively dismissing the value of cautious business
planning, but negativity can be a serious creativity killer you
should resist yielding to. Don't talk yourself or be talked out of
by anyone else, all your great ideas before you've given them a
chance.
Why is it our first instinct to dissect every reason why an idea
won't work instead of exhausting why and how it could? The answer
is actually quite simple: it's harder and scarier to be
positive.
It's easy to be negative. Pointing out the dangers and pitfalls,
considering all the downsides, thinking how to minimise risks and
considering resource/time implications makes us feel grown-up,
sensible, and, dare I say it, business-like.
Persevering with positivity is hard. Much tougher. Going out on
a limb, challenging convention and disapproving voices is
uncomfortable and often unnerving. It's the rough ride.
It's also how all progress, creativity and innovation are born
too, though. We should be braver and banish negativity more often
to let positivity and creativity flourish.
Every brilliant business idea in history has been opposed by
someone (sometimes everyone) and many only survived thanks to the
unwavering belief and positivity of their creators. But how many
were lost?
Surround yourself with positive people and dismiss
negativity.