Pseudo-positivity is real. It prevents the deeper more complicated issues to go unresolved. Most productive people are positive. But a lot of positive people are not necessarily productive. And therein lies their paradoxical frustration and confusion.
Affirmations like ‘I’m good or I’ll be alright’ in the midst of stress or chaos is great – but can be devastatingly detrimental if not supported by deeper internal adjustments.
Positive statements release the brain’s natural ‘feel-good chemicals’ - endorphins and enkephalins. These chemicals mimic the effects of opiate-like sensations of well-being. And hence, positive affirmations, in times of breakdown, such as “I am fine” and “I am good” is akin to you delivering an instant shot of ‘feel-good’.
Hence, in a situation beyond your immediate capabilities, saying ‘I am ok’ gives you temporary relief. It’s this simple.
However, self-medicated dosages of superficial positivity can sometimes do more harm than good.
After the initial moments of ‘feeling safe,’ you will tend to oscillate back into feelings of overwhelm, doubt and frustration. You may also find it hard to keep true to any intentions you’ve made. This is because these intentions were made whilst you were tripping on ‘mood boosters’.
Intentions in this state are made from a surface level. So when the ‘mood’ wears off you’re subconscious is back fighting the intentions where it left off.
Reaching the deeper levels of the mind is about staying with the pain. Not numbing your self with temporary endorphins, alone.
It about questioning your existing values. Mining hidden beliefs. Reflecting on accountability - all the deep stuff that leads to a Positive Identity.
And because you are making adjustments from the deep subconscious and unconscious levels, there is a greater probability that your Intentions will translate into your life as measurable actions.
A deeper shift into Positivity almost always reflects in the decisions you make through the day –Measureable changes in your lifestyle is the surest proof that you are tapping into the purest form of positivity – not its fake version.
This is proven by a theory proposed by Robert Dilts. He talks of the 6 Neurological levels of an individual that determine his physical environment. He proposes that Spirituality – Identity – Beliefs – Capabilities – Behaviour – Environment are all linked and affect each other intrinsically. Tap into your identity and belief systems to reach desired goals and visions.
Change is hard. What may scare the hell out of you today is only so because it’s a first.
Have you heard of neuroplasticity? Put simply this means our brains have the ability to evolve continuously. When we learn something new, we create new connections between our neurons. We rewire our brains to adapt to new circumstances. This happens on a daily basis, but it’s also something that we can encourage and stimulate mindfully.
It is self-sabotaging to hope for happy endings with no change to beliefs, behaviour, methodologies and processes. “I am alright - because here is what I am going to do differently is the game-changer.
Remember we humans are by design, a tribe of infinite possibilities.