How to go from being a pessimist to an optimist in just 4 minutes

It is not strictly a quality to be optimistic, but a skill. You are not born being an optimist. And while it is true that there are people who are more positive than others by nature, it is a mentality that can be learned to adopt.

That's why we present a mental exercise that helps you adopt an optimistic attitude in just 4 minutes following four simple steps, which will greatly help you make better decisions and be more productive.

But how does it benefit us to be optimistic in the workplace?

First, this positive mindset encourages creative thinking and helps solve problems. In addition, it reduces stress levels, improves well-being and thus increases productivity.

It is not about obviating the problems and risks, but to stop conceiving them as a barrier. An optimistic person does not shy away from seeing the negative side, but finds another way to get to the positive side.

Instead, negative thoughts activate an area of the brain called the amygdala, which is related to risk aversion. Over time this pessimistic mindset becomes a habit.

The good news is that you can train the brain to activate the most optimistic side with a mental exercise that can be done in 4 minutes following these simple steps:

Step 1
During the first minute you have to concentrate on identifying a negative thought: think about what worries us, what frightens or stresses. Write all on a piece of paper and do not miss anyone.

Step 2
Once you have emptied your head of worries and captured everyone in a paper it is time to calm the mind. You have to close your eyes and focus all your attention on the breath, fixing exactly where the air enters the lungs. Maintain this state for another minute.

Step 3
Now let the thoughts flow and notice them. Do not try to eliminate negative thoughts, just observe them.

Step 4
The last phase is visualization. You have to imagine what would be the best possible result with all the possible details, from the present to emotions and actions.

Over time the brain will learn to assess the best possible situation automatically, preventing it from getting stuck in a supposed problem that may have an easy solution.