If you placed second in a track and field event, would you be jumping up and down in joy and work harder to get first place next time? Or, would you be discouraged and quit the track team?

In life, we are always given choices. You can choose to see life as a beautiful ride filled with wonderful challenges or view your life as just another day to bring you down, always setting yourself up for failure, and then pointing out to everyone how life is just not fair for you?  Nothing good ever happens to you!

Why not try to change your point of view, to make your life more meaningful?

Optimism has been linked to good morale,a positive mood and better health. Optimist do better in academics, athletics, military, in the work place and politically. Optimism is link to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.

On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. Depression affects middle-aged adults the same way it affects younger people. The mean age of onset depression has gone from 30 years old to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teen-ager’s disorder’ as well.

Let’s look at some characteristic of an optimist:

Optimists expect the best, they create conditions for success, constructive attitude, empowering, and refraines from complaining.

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time and undermine everything they do, and there is nothing they can do to change their situation.

The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world as th pessimist. The difference between the two is the way they view their misfortune—their views are totally opposite. Optimist tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, the pessimist might see it as a lifetime of disappointment.

Optimists see the self as a process and seek continual improvement. Their drive to improve is not pushed by fear but pulled by a inspiring self-image.  Believing they are worthy of success and happiness.

You will never hear an optimist say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “I lost this race so I am going to quit this team!”

People respond positively to optimists

Optimist are attracted to positive people and situations. Seeking out those who will support and inspire, not discourage, distract, and undermine.

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.

In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and are sought out for their advice.

When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher

Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.

They persevere, They just don’t know the words “quit or give up.”  They are willing to work towards their dreams no matter what life throws at them.

Optimists are healthier and live longer

Medical research has shown that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease. Optimists’ age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And often outlive their pessimist counterparts who are prone to negative thoughts.

So why not try to think like an optimist today? Think positively towards a more rewarding and fulfilling life.

Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like all people you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t let them last forever. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove the dark cloud from their lives and see life on the sunny side?

Team Newsletter or Ezine
One thing that you can do to keep up the motivation of your team is start a team newsletter. This can be done through the mail or by email whichever you think would work better for your group. You can include words of encouragement to get your team members excited about their business, offer tips like theme party ideas and maybe even let your team send in ideas that have worked for them.

Sending Cards
Another thing you can do to let your team members know that they are special to you is start sending cards on special occasions. Remembering things like wedding anniversaries, birthdays or even a consultant that has had an exceptional sales month will let your team members know that they are special to you and not simply a number that you recruited for your own personal gain.

Training and Incentives
Offer team training and incentives to your down line for motivation. Whether your new recruits are direct sales pros or delving into their first experience, training is always a good thing. You could hold conference calls; monthly or even weekly team meetings. Offer incentives for your team to help them reach their sales goals. Offer things like sales aides (order forms, catalogs, etc…) or products from your company if they meet goals like booking so many parties in a month, making so many sales phone calls, or meeting a certain amount of sales.

Support
The best thing that you can do is make yourself available to your team and let them know that they matter to you. Nothing is more motivating than knowing you have someone who is behind you and supports you all the way with your business.

Keep these tips in mind and you will have a sales team that really loves what they do, which means success for everyone.