Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial for success at work, though it can be more challenging than it seems. Work often brings stress, tight deadlines, and obstacles that make it difficult to stay positive, but the effort is well worth it. Research by Barbara L. Fredrickson on positive emotions highlights the broad health benefits of positive thinking, including improvements in physical, intellectual, social, and psychological well-being.

Positivity shouldn’t be limited to the workplace—it can become a way of life. In an inspirational blog by Cindy Skinner titled “Don’t Burst My Happy Bubble,” she shares how she approaches her day, interactions, tasks, and challenges with a positive mindset. To maintain her “bubble” of positivity, she actively expresses her appreciation to those around her—whether by praising a coworker’s great idea, complimenting the cashier during lunch, or simply offering a smile and a polite “please” or “thank you” to those she encounters. By doing so, she not only nurtures her own positive attitude but also encourages positivity in others.

In the blog Cindy emphasizes that positive thinking and a positive attitude at times requires attention, repair, and even a rebuild. She notes some things she does to keep her bubble intact:

• focusing her time and energy on what really matters to her
• steering away from negative people, places and things whenever she can
• not expending her valuable energy on negativities
• surrounding herself with people, events and moments that nourish and replenish
• fully embracing those areas that are in her control

She ends her blog with a wonderful mission for all of us:

“Whether your affirmations involve your career, education, family, fitness, politics, or lifestyle, surround yourself in a bubble that encompasses, shelters, inspires, and guides you. Most importantly, don’t burst my bubble or those around you, rather encourage, support and nurture the essence within the bubble.”