ENTREPRENEURIALISM
The Six Benefits Of Being Optimistic In Business
WRITTEN BY JACK BARRON | JULY 15, 2020 | 4 MIN
Being successful in business is about more than simply having a great idea and a good business model. It’s also about nurturing your own character so that you, yourself, can be successful in whatever you do. This is especially important when you’re a small or medium-sized business, where you often find that the directors and founders wear multiple ‘hats’, performing a range of job functions within the business.
There’s a reason why so many successful businessmen and women seem somewhat similar to one another: confident, outgoing, and forward-thinking. There are certain character traits that just lend themselves to good business acumen, and topping the list should be optimism. Here are six reasons why optimism is a trait every entrepreneur should seek to possess.
Optimism Increases Productivity
Research has shown that optimistic people work harder, probably because they can more clearly see the goal they’re working towards. Maintaining a positive outlook is proven to increase productivity and therefore make you better at business.
Optimism Begets Optimism
A good mood is contagious, and optimism is largely the same; business is usually people-centric, and when you’re constantly surrounded by clients, colleagues, and staff, the last thing you want to do is put them off with your dreary personality. People around you will enjoy your optimism and probably become more optimistic themselves because of it.
Optimism Doesn’t Accept Failure
Failure is normal; not every business venture succeeds. Those entrepreneurs who succeed overall are the ones who can take failures and get back up again with determination in their eyes. Pessimists fall at the first hurdle; optimists stay in the race. In times of hardship, which in business you will undoubtedly face, the ability to dust off and get back up is essential. The Coronavirus Pandemic, which floored businesses and the economy as a whole, could be viewed as the end, or as an opportunity, lesson or rebirth. How you perceive setback and how you respond to them will have a direct impact on the resilience of your business.
Optimism Is Healthier
Whether you’re in business or not, it’s a good idea to nurture your own sense of optimism if only for your health. A study conducted by the University of Illinois found that optimistic participants were 76% more likely to have an ‘ideal’ health score.
Optimism Means Growth
Optimists are more likely than pessimists to venture outside of their comfort zones and try something new. In business, nothing is more important than this. The old adage rings true: nothing risked, nothing gained. Business is all about innovation, and how can we innovate if we’re afraid to try something new?
Optimism Just… Makes Sense
At the end of the day, pessimism is just not going to get you very far. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, why are you doing it? You might as well just quit, right? When you realise that optimism really is the only sensible attitude you can have when it comes to business, you’ll realise how important it is to practice thinking positively – even when the chips are down.
For advice and assistance with business strategy and marketing – or even just a friendly pep talk in entrepreneurial optimism – don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Jack Barron, Director
Jack is passionate about marketing and helping small to medium-sized businesses thrive. As Director of Invoke Media, he is responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of every campaign, getting stuck into the execution of successful at every opportunity.
