How to Keep a Positive Attitude in a Negative Workplace

Summary

The script emphasizes the importance of choosing a positive attitude in the workplace despite negativity around you. Through a story of a man who remained kind to a dismissive newsstand vendor for years, it illustrates the power of not letting others control your behavior. The speaker encourages focusing on what's going right instead of wrong, using humor, gratitude, and positivity to uplift the atmosphere. Examples like creating a 'whine cellar' or sharing a joke of the day show how small actions can transform a work environment into a more positive space.

Takeaways

• 😀 People often complain and whine in workplaces, but you always have a choice in how you respond.
• 😊 It's easy to get caught up in negativity, but you can choose not to join in.
• 😇 You can be the person who uplifts others by fostering a positive atmosphere.
• 🤔 A story about a man who was always kind to a newsstand worker, even though he never received a positive response.
• 💪 The man explained that he learned not to let others control his behavior, no matter how they acted.
• 🙌 You don't have to let negative attitudes dictate your own; you can choose to be positive.
• 🌟 Focusing on what’s going right, instead of wrong, can make a significant difference.
• 👀 A quote from William Winter: 'As much of heaven is visible as we have eyes to see.'
• 🎉 A group of coworkers created a 'whine-cellar' as a fun way to handle grumpy moods.
• 😂 You can change your workplace atmosphere by doing simple things like sharing jokes or keeping a blessings journal.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's message in the script?

The main theme is about personal choice in maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace, despite negativity from others.

What common workplace behavior does the speaker criticize?

The speaker criticizes whining, complaining, and groaning that often occur in the workplace.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate how to stay positive in the face of negativity?

The speaker shares a story about their husband’s friend, who greeted a newsstand worker kindly every day for 19 years, despite never receiving a positive response in return.

What lesson does the speaker draw from the story about the newsstand worker?

The lesson is that you shouldn't let someone else's negative behavior control your own. You have the choice to stay positive regardless of how others act.

What advice does the speaker give for creating a positive atmosphere at work?

The speaker advises becoming the person who lifts others up, focuses on the positive, and helps foster a positive workplace environment.

How did one group of workers create a fun way to cope with negativity in the workplace?

The group stayed late one night, decorated an unused space with a banner calling it the 'wine-cellar' (a play on words with 'whine'), and made it a place for people to go when they were having a bad day.

What are some practical ways the speaker suggests to maintain a positive mindset?

The speaker suggests calling someone who loves you, keeping a blessings journal, or sharing a joke of the day with others to maintain positivity.

How does the quote from William Winter relate to the speaker's message?

The quote 'as much of heaven is visible as we have eyes to see' emphasizes that if we choose to focus on the good around us, we can create a more positive experience in life and work.

What does the speaker mean by 'not letting someone else control your behavior'?

The speaker means that we have the power to control our reactions and attitudes, even if others around us are negative or unkind.

What is the key takeaway from the speaker's message?

The key takeaway is that no matter the circumstances or negativity around you, you have the choice to stay positive and influence your environment in a positive way.