It is a wonder that any of us can move forward in a positive manner given the amount of negative ‘stuff’ that surrounds us in our daily lives.  We have people around us who look at what can’t be done, rather than what can be done, and make sure that everyone knows it.  We have media that focusses on the negative and ‘bad things’ that go on and call it news.  Like the saying goes, “Evening news is where they begin with ‘Good evening’, and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.”  The natural tendency seems to be to look at disability, not ability, and weaknesses, not strengths.

We need to reverse our thinking if we plan on achieving our goals.  My good friend Bill Robinson at www.ourhiddenheroes.org did a ‘Ted Talk’ last year that is a very powerfulreminder of what can be accomplished when we look at ourselves positively and focus on our strengths.  His talk can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGSkBgiRWqk

A good example of this is the recent sixth annual ‘State of the Island Economic Summit’ put on by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance www.viea.ca  In this summit the keynote speakers addressed where we are going, not where we have been.  Mark Carney, Governor, Bank of Canada, the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia, and Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, all focused on our strengths, successes, and how well we are positioned both internationally and here at home at a time of uncertainty in the world.

The breakout sessions and networking carried the same tone of optimism and I know I left seeing the glass half full, not half empty.  We need to take the time to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and make sure that this is the first place we go.  Surrounding ourselves with ‘positive thinkers’ and focusing on our strengths will help us to reach our goals. Our health and well-being are dependent on our approach to life; make sure it is positive!