The Link Between Positivity and Productivity

         Being positive starts with one person. This will then domino effect to the next and so on. Before you know it, the team that is working together to accomplish a goal is in an effective and healthy environment and with a productive mindset. Although it might seem easy, it is tougher than it looks. For example, the plan might go wrong, or negativity starts to creep in. That is when you must have optimistic thinking and return to a peaceful and productive mindset. Which is why I believe when you are in a positive environment, your productivity is strong. This is important because it brings a sense of self accomplishment and infinite confidence. 

         The summer before my freshman year of college, I started working at a golf club. Working in the club house, we were to sell snacks and drinks to the golf community. At the beginning of the job, I knew the club had a stressful environment, but it also had its rewards. During my first week of training, I was working with my coworker who had started the year before me. She taught me the daily schedule, where to find the overstock items, how to operate the computer system, and how to count the money at the end of a shift. After my coworker was done training me, our manager came up to the both of us and started to complain about all the work that there was left to do in the kitchen. While we were still in conversation, our manager turned her back to my coworker and started to complain about her lousy work ethic and poor time management skills to me. I felt horrible for my coworker, and I felt frightened by the mentality of my new manager. We both learned that day that your best efforts are not sufficient to please everyone. This is an example of how a negative attitude can hinder your team and cause emotional disturbance to others.

         After experiencing my manager’s hostility, I worked extremely hard in an effort to please her. When I finished my daily chores, I would ask my manager if there was anything else I could do. I knew never to stand there with nothing to do, even if all the chores were completed and there physically was nothing left to do. My manager made me very productive, but it was motivated out of fear. I was worried she would speak poorly of me to my coworkers and to other employees. Being forced to be productive out of fear is not sustainable. Fear can lead to emotional damage and an increase in stress. This is not only detrimental for the work environment, but also for your mental health.

         Going into freshman year, I decided to focus on my studies and leave my job behind. This encouraged me to find an employer that accepted me for who I am and not for what I can do for their business. This was very important to me because I wanted a job to make me feel heard and allowed me to express my personality. During May of my freshman year, I was invited to work in the Dean’s Office of my campus. I was hesitant at first because my previous manager was all I could think about. All those fearful thoughts disappeared when I met Michelle, my new manager. She is the manager everyone dreams of having. I can come to her about anything, and she is always willing to help. When I began training for the Switchboard position, Michelle was the one to show me the ropes. She guided me to the right answers and encouraged me to be present and vocal if I was having trouble understanding a task (See Figure A). Once I understood the basic tasks, she helped me to become independent and to trust my instincts. Michelle taught me how to be positive while being productive. She used thoughtful and constructive learning tactics for me to understand this new position rather than bringing me down with negativity and fear.

         While I am in my second year of college now, I am a completely different person than I was in my first year. I now work at the Switchboard and spent the summer switching between the Dean’s Office and the Academic/Student Affairs Office. I went into college as a nervous eighteen-year-old with no familiar faces and walked into sophomore year confident and all knowing. I can thank my newfound optimism to Michelle and to the Switchboard position.

         During PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology, I learned the concept of positive thinking. Positive thinking happens when you engage in habits that allow you to become more adaptable, leverage your strengths, face obstacles with optimism, and maintain a strong sense of self (See Figure B). This seems much easier said than done. For example, most people start their day off with a good mindset and goals to complete. But as the day goes on, those goals might not get completed and something might be their way to accomplish said tasks. It is very easy to go from a positive mindset to a negative mindset. And sometimes those exciting tasks or jobs start as a good thing, but then quickly turn bad. Our thoughts have a lot of power over how we feel and ultimately how we act. In fact, oftentimes our thoughts shape the way we feel. Which is why it is important to be confident and to give yourself positive self-talk.

             In conclusion, having a positive mindset and a healthy environment makes all the difference. Being forced to be productive is not healthy and is certainly not sustainable. Having friends or managers in your life that shape a confident point of view are people you want to have in your life. Promoting a positive environment promotes the best productivity.