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The Power of Thinking Good Thoughts

Kevin Eikenberry 1 Comment

In his novel Shogun, James Clavell says:

To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline – training – is about.”

That is a powerful thought and one that is incredibly important for us as leaders. Does it mean that great leaders must be eternal optimists or move through life with rose-colored glasses on? Not necessarily. But it doesn’t change the fact that enthusiasm, passion and a positive approach are all contagious.

Unfortunately, the opposite of those things are also contagious. The challenge for us as leaders extends beyond our thinking. Clavell is right, in my opinion. Thinking (and I’ll add communicating) positively takes effort. When we don’t make that effort, we will go into a downward spiral of negative thinking, beliefs and action.

So while creating a positive, enthusiastic environment might not be near the top of your priorities, perhaps it should be. Consciously creating a positive, proactive and can-do environment is one of our most under-respected and most-important leadership communication imperatives. Try these leadership activities today and everyday:

  • Think good of yourself today.
  • Think good about your team.
  • Think positively about your future success.
  • And take action on those thoughts

If you want a reason to feel really good about your leadership, join us for 13 DAYS TO REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP, and receive a new training video from me for the next 13 days. Sign up now!

Filed Under: Personal & Professional Development Tagged With: career advancement, Kevin Eikenberry, leadership mindset

About Kevin Eikenberry

Kevin is a bestselling author, speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group. Inc.com named him one of the top 100 Leadership and Management Thinkers in the World, and Top Sales World calls him one of the Top 50 Influencers on Sales and Marketing. Want to work on your leadership skills? Enroll in our 13 Days to Remarkable Leadership Video series with Kevin’s compliments!

Comments

  1. Cory Henke says

    December 2, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    I think positive environment is everything. Even in the military faced with many obstacles and hardships the leaders that had that can do attitude enabled all those around them and caused a ripple affect that I don’t think even they were aware of. Made the best days betters and even in the worst of days that attitude carried us thru.

    Reply

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