Economic doom and gloom, less jobs, tighter markets, less sales - there are plenty of reasons for workforces to fall into a sea of negativity and helplessness.
The psychology of crowds tells us that people often follow the actions, opinions and mindsets of the majority of people. Sadly, history has shown us that crowds can often get it (very) wrong.
We know that pessimism in the workplace can lead to reduced productivity and under utilization of skills. If your work culture has been in the habit of complaining and being negative about the future, will you take the easy road and join them, or will you be able to rise above it? Perhaps a quick lesson from a Star Wars Jedi can shed some light...
In the Star Wars saga, the Jedi are a peacekeeping organization known for their observance of 'the Force' and their mental discipline. The Jedi mind needs to remain strong and focused at all times so not to be seduced by the elements of the 'dark side', being fear, hate, greed and selfishness.
Whether you like it or not, you are affected by the people around you.
Medical science has shown that if you take three women and asked them to live together, after a few months their menstrual cycles would start to align with one another. The last time you went to a professional football, soccer, or baseball game, did you feel a sense of excitement in the air when the crowd becomes engaged in the game?
We are affected, in some way, by other people.
If your work culture has become negative or defeated, then it can affect your personal morale, work flow, and focus. The more one focuses on how difficult, unfair or upsetting something is, the less action they are likely to take to overcome it.
Overcoming a negative work culture doesn't come from trying to resist or fight the crowd. Rather, you need to
look beyond the crowd and stay in focus with your goals, aspirations and positive attitude. To draw the analogy, a true Jedi fights evil not by destroying it, but by staying mentally focused so that evil doesn't become part of them.
Gandhi's famous saying "become the change you wish to see" does
not refer to 'talking' about change, but demonstrating the change within yourself. The 'lead by example' principle is asks that you embody all your words of wisdom and become the product of your advice and ideals.
This is not a technique, but rather a courageous step to say what you mean and do what you say - so that you don't blindly do, say, and become the same as everyone else. My 5 year old son, Zackary, is fanatical about Star Wars. He knows all the characters and often sleeps in his Jedi costume (he actually believes that he is a Jedi Master). At his friend's 6th birthday party, the children's entertainer had 25 kids running chaotically in circles to dance music for 10 minutes. The kids were having a ball. He suddenly yells 'stop! (surprising, the kids actually stop and listen). He yells "a tree is about to fall onto this building, everyone get down on the ground and cover your head". All the kids, screaming with excitement, hit the ground and cover their heads.
All except one.
Zack remains standing and is looking at the window. He arms are now outstretched so that his palms are facing the window. His face has a look of intense concentration. The entertainer looks at Zack in bewilderment and asks "what are doing?? A tree is falling - you need to get down!" (hoping that Zack would comply so that he could get on with the activity). Zack, totally unphased by the fact that he is the only one standing, maintains his focus on the window and says...
"don't worry, I am a Jedi. I can use the force and save you all".
My question to you is this...
'will you be able to rise above the crowd when needed or will you accept the negativity, and become part of it?' Will you be more committed to staying focused, positive and enthusiastic - even if others are not? What are you able to do to keep your mind focused and positive? FINAL THOUGHTS"Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will..." - Yoda, Jedi MasterABOUT THE AUTHOR:Michael Licenblat is a Resilience Expert and Professional Speaker who builds Pressure Proof workforces and Resilient Professionals.
To have Michael speak to your team or deliver a seminar, contact us at http://www.BounceBackFast.com
You can download Michael's e-book '7 ways to prevent becoming over worked, run down and stressed out' from http://www.BounceBackFast.comLabels: jedi, motivation, negativity, positive mental attitude, resilience, team building
