Positive Spin

For most people, most of our lives are made up of mundane events and activities peppered in with excitement here and there.

I happen to be a fan of pepper.

Sure, I'm constantly working towards more excitement and interest, but even people with interesting lives have boring things that happen on a routine basis. I consider my life somewhat interesting, but I still have a job I go to everyday, and I have certain routines that other people might consider mundane and uninteresting.

One of the big keys I've found to getting over the mundaneness that exists in your life, is to be an optimist and put a positive spin on everything you can! What do I mean by this? Well, let me give you a few examples.

I have a somewhat standard day job. As far as any of my friends are concerned though, my work is a circus of fun with no real productivity happening! My friends always make fun of me (and I make fun of myself) because it seems like I'm never working and am always having fun! Why do they have this image? Because I only talk about the great things that I experience at my job.

In reality, I DO work and am pretty productive but I rarely mention that I dislike the routine of having to go in every day, the fact that engineering doesn't interest me, getting stuck in an office for long periods of time, and the disturbing similarities to "Office Space" that are daily occurrences in this, and pretty much any company.

Instead, I only talk about the amazing flexibility of hours I have, the basketball court in the courtyard where we play at lunch, my awesome gym next door, the awesome cafeteria, the new FREE coffee house, the beach volleyball court, the monthly BBQs with beer, the fact that I have my own office, and I wear sandals and shorts to work everyday!

What's the point of talking about the negative aspects all the time? I choose to put a positive spin on most things because it makes me feel great, and helps me to exude positive energy. Sure my job has its fair share of shortcomings, but I choose to emphasize the great aspects of my work, including the fact that I even have a job, to myself and others.

I know a lot of people who, when talking to them, sound like they always get the short end of the stick. Something's always around that's making life difficult. The reality is that MOST of the problems they are faced with are same ones that most people deal with! But, since they don't spin their lives in a positive way, they are always focused on the problems rather than the potential positive outcomes. They also fail to see all of the blessings in their lives and instead bring shortcomings and strife to the forefront. Consequently, we only hear about all the unfortunate events that are troubling their lives.

A lot of the time, working out sucks. When I'm on the stairmaster, or in the 12th mile of a run, I'm not exactly in physical heaven. My muscles are sore, my lungs want to explode, and my sweat glands are putting out fires. So why do I kill myself exercising? I love the feeling of accomplishment and good-health that I get AFTER the workout! (and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the by product that is looking like a statue carved by the hands of God himself :)

I only consider the positive side-effects of high intensity exercise which is why I enjoy it so much!

I'm a big fan of storytelling (as my friends well know) and like sharing my experiences and adventures with other people. A lot of people, if you asked them to tell you about their day, wouldn't have much to say. I can make pretty much any day sound interesting by simply focusing on the little interesting and funny things that happened or made me think and glossing over the normal, boring things that may or may not have taken up the majority of the day.

In fact, whenever I decide to get a new digital camera, I'll have to do my first ever VLOG on "The Art of Storytelling." But I digress.

I'm what I call, a "yes man." When people invite me places or ask me to do things, I generally only consider the positive outcomes. As a result, I rarely say "no."

Aside from constant good mood that I'm in, exuding optimism and putting a positive spin on life, makes you magnetic to people around you. I don't know about you, but I enjoy hanging out with positive people who make me smile and feel great when I'm around them. I like hearing about the great things that have happened to them recently rather than the mundane events or problems that happen everyday.

So be an optimist, see the silver lining, and put a positive spin on YOUR life. You'll realize how awesome it really is!