We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting, rolling out an idea—maybe it’s a game-changer, maybe it’s just a small tweak—and before the plan even has a chance to breathe, someone in the room starts shaking their head like they’re trying to dislodge a stubborn fly.
“Won’t work,” they declare with the certainty of a fortune teller reading a broken crystal ball.
“We tried something like that before, and it failed.”
Cue the collective sigh.
Look, I get it. Skepticism is natural, and experience matters. But let me ask you this: what would happen if, instead of immediately jumping to why something can’t work, we leaned into what might make it possible this time?
Being positive isn’t about ignoring challenges or putting on rose-colored glasses. It’s about giving ideas a fair shot before dismissing them outright. It's about recognizing that context changes, tools improve, and people grow. What didn’t work five years ago might just thrive today.
Here’s the thing: negativity is contagious, but so is enthusiasm. Instead of being the “head shaker,” be the person who says, “Okay, what would it take to make this work?” Even if the idea still doesn’t pan out, you’ve contributed to a culture that values exploration and progress over fear and stagnation.
So, the next time you feel your head instinctively starting to shake, pause. Take a deep breath. And ask yourself: “Am I shutting this down because it’s truly unworkable, or because it’s easier to critique than to create?”
Give optimism a try—you might just shake up something brilliant instead.