28 Examples of Positivity

John Spacey, August 19, 2019

Positivity is an embrace of the good and potential in people and situations. This can be a character trait, behavior or world view that can be developed with practice. Positivity allows an individual to concentrate on the creative and constructive such that they may end up both unusually productive and happy. This is easier said than done as life invariably presents regular problems, challenges, indignities, insults, failures, losses and other negativities that make it difficult to maintain a positive mindset. The following are common types of positivity.

Gratitude

The state of being thankful for things you have including the basic elements of the human experience.

Optimism

The belief that positive change is possible.

Realism

Positivity doesn't require that you adopt an unrealistic view of yourself or others. Disconnecting from reality is a dangerous type of positivity that is likely to alienate you or cause you to take excessive risks.

Pragmatism

The flexibility to achieve things in real world in conditions that are less than ideal.

Honesty

Being honest with yourself and others.

Introspection

The ability to identify and self-correct your own emotions, thoughts and behavior patterns.

Faithfulness

The ability to remain loyal to family, friends and your beliefs.

Constructive Thinking

Building on things and creating as opposed to tearing down. For example, helping the environment with action, design and invention as opposed to actionless criticism.

Taking the High Road

Resisting the temptation to change your behavior to match the poor behavior of others.

Tolerance

Acceptance of the reality that not everyone thinks and acts as you think they should.

Forgiveness

Forgiving people so that the past doesn't become a weight that drags you down.

Resilience

The ability to quickly bounce back from tragedy, failure and disappointment without loss of enthusiasm.

Acceptance

Acceptance of challenges and obstacles without denial or loss of enthusiasm.

Trust

Placing trust in others to avoid a life of suspicion and isolation.

Freedom

Freeing yourself from unpleasant constraints and reciprocating by granting reasonable freedoms to those around you.

Society, Community & Culture

Adhering to reasonable constraints such as norms that allow you to get along with others and enjoy shared experiences.

Responsibility

Doing what you've committed to do or at least trying.

Confidence

Generally speaking, it is difficult to maintain a positive mindset if you are always looking to others for validation. Knowing who you are and finding contentment with that without constantly looking for social proof is conductive to the emotional stability required for positivity.

Humility

Doing great things with the knowledge that recognition may eventually follow. Worrying about recognition, respect and status is a form of negativity.

Bravery

Positivity requires a certain degree of calculated risk taking to avoid the situation where you are bound by fear.

Mindfulness

Paying attention to the moment as opposed to being stuck in the past and future.

Thoughtfulness

Considering how others may think and feel.

Kindness

Doing nice things for people without any expectation of a payback.

Abundance Mindset

The belief that there is more than enough for everyone such you are happy to see others succeed.

Generosity

A willingness to give of yourself to help others.

Play

The pursuit of joy for the sake of joy.

Self Fulfillment

A mission for what you want to achieve and a vision of what your future can be. This may serve as motivation even if you never achieve your mission and vision.

Humor

Humor is a significant tool of positivity that can reduce the dark and the absurd to a positive emotion.

Notes

Positivity can be viewed as a virtuous cycle whereby people are more likely to like and respond favorably to you making it increasingly easier to remain fully positive. Likewise, negatively is certainly a vicious cycle whereby you're likely to find yourself in battles with people that make it more and more difficult to return to positivity.

Overview: Positivity
Type	Good Habits
Definition	An embrace of the good and potential in people and situations.
Related Concepts	Good Habits » Gratitude » Human Experience » Optimism » Pragmatism » Honesty »