Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive – In Life & at Work

You've got to accentuate the positive

Eliminate the negative

And latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

Lyrics from Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Johnny Mercer

In life, there are those who see things as half full, those who see things as half empty; and the occasional visionary (or maybe delusionary) like the late comedian George Carlin who saw a glass that was twice the size it needed to be. And while ‘Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive’ was a popular song in the forties – studies have shown that people who maintain a positive outlook, or see the glass half full, lead happier and healthier lives…

As Margie Warrell writes in her Forbes.com column 'See the Glass Half Full or Empty? Why Optimists Are Happier, Healthier & Wealthier!' "Research has found that seeing the glass half full not only makes you happier, it makes you healthier and wealthier. A study by Psychologist Susan Segerstrom found that ten years after graduation; law students who were optimistic earned an average of $32,667 more than their glass-half-empty peers.

"Expecting good things to happen will lead to taking actions that produce positive results. Expecting only more bad stuff to come your way will keep you from doing the very things that might have minimized or avoided just that!"

In a blog on Livestrong.com by Julie Boehlke 'Importance of Good Attitude at Work' she writes, "Having a good, positive attitude, along with positive thinking, at work will reflect on what you do and make you a more productive employee. This can determine how well you get your projects done and also how others perceive you. If you display a good attitude, you may increase your chances for a promotion or a raise if you are a positive role model for others within your department at work."

But more than that, she adds "Your attitude is a form of expression of yourself. You can choose to be happy, positive and optimistic or you can choose to be pessimistic and critical with a negative outlook on your workday. The Mayo Clinic suggests that positive thinking and a good attitude help better your psychological well being and help you cope better under stressful situations at work. If you display a good attitude, your co-workers will as well, making it easier to communicate and get along in the workplace."

And the benefits of a positive attitude go beyond a successful career of course. According to the Mayo Clinic, a positive attitude is very beneficial to one’s health – resulting in lower stress and depression – which leads to increased life spans, greater resistance to illness and better psychological and physical well-being.

"When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're better able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking."