As an athlete, student, daughter, sister, employee, and human, I have constantly struggled to keep the mindset bulb in my brain aglow.
Through many experiences, I have slowly developed a better understanding of the importance and key aspects of a positive outlook, and I hope to share my findings.
The shape of our thoughts directly influences the color of our emotions, the tone of our speech, and even the effectiveness of our actions. Certain thoughts are more likely to lead us down dark and destructive pathways, while others can uplift and empower us to strive for our greatest potential.
In sports, the importance of maintaining a positive attitude is strongly emphasized. Athletes often struggle with the pressure from teammates and coaches, as well as the expectations they set for themselves. This can sometimes lead to a downward spiral of negativity and self-doubt, fueled by feelings of guilt.
Volleyball is a sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net, with the ultimate goal of scoring points by grounding the ball on the other team’s court. Although volleyball is a team sport, some players, depending on their position, feel as if they hold a higher level of responsibility.
“Being a setter in volleyball is equivalent to being a quarterback in football, in which setters control how the game plays out and how the whole team performs,” said sophomore Juhie Yoon. “Having a positive mindset as a setter does not only affect my play but the whole team as well. Resetting after a bad point is all about the positive mindset a player has—moving on from past mistakes and not letting one mistake define you as an athlete.”
Another example where the need for a positive frame of mind is heavily expressed is through the path of academic achievement.
As a student, it is safe to say that there are a number of times I have found myself fighting the urge to just give up. The night before school, after numerous extracurriculars, I would be under significant pressure trying to complete homework and study.
Upon reflecting on these experiences, I compared my grades from times when I approached tests with a bright viewpoint versus when I felt pessimistic. I realized the importance of keeping the lightbulb of positivity shining, even when it feels like it’s about to flicker out.
After speaking with junior Gabriela Sedagatpour, she expressed how her mindset shift allowed her to develop a better understanding of the hard subject of chemistry, build strong study habits, and maintain a healthy balance between athletics and academics.
“In the beginning of my sophomore year, I faced a particularly challenging first semester with a heavy course load, extracurriculars such as sports and clubs, and tough classes,” said Sedagatpour.
After realizing she was overly stressed, she decided that something needed to change. She took time to reflect on the sources of her stress and seek ways to address the issue.
“Through a positive attitude, I was able to attain stronger understandings of my challenging courses, leading me to feel comfortable participating in winter track without the worry of having no time to study or to complete and understand my homework—allowing both academic and athletic achievements,” said Sedagatpour.
She concluded by expressing that this experience taught her the value of resilience and optimism, and how a positive approach can transform challenges into achievements.
Lastly, after speaking to coach and teacher, Ms. Nastri, she recounted a heartfelt story, as a speech pathologist, on how one of her students would become intensely frustrated when he struggled to communicate, often expressing his distress through self-harm and aggression toward others due to the depth of his frustration.
Day after day, Nastri and her student worked on using an alternative communication device, a tablet or laptop, that helps one with a speech or language impairment, to communicate expressively with others, so that he could be more communicative.
“Since it is my job to assist students in communicating effectively, it can be very challenging when a student has significant difficulties with expressive communication, especially when it is for what we would deem as simple wants and needs,” said Nastri.
In order to assist her students with their frustration, she began implementing things akin to sensory diets, mindfulness, and music therapy into her sessions so that they could also practice having a positive mindset, in a manner that aligns with their unique needs and preferences, so they could work through obstacles in a positive way together.
Just like myself and the others, Nastri reflected back on this specific student that she worked with, who, day after day, continued to practice and learn how to use his communication device effectively.
“I look back and think about how maintaining positivity and not allowing setbacks to stop us led him to a much happier life with significantly fewer frustrations and challenges,” said Nastri.
Reflecting on these experiences has deepened my understanding of how maintaining a positive perspective can profoundly impact our lives.
Each story—whether it’s a student finding resilience in academics, an athlete overcoming pressure, or an educator supporting a struggling student—demonstrates the transformative power of positivity.
With these reflections in mind, I now want to share some practical advice on how to cultivate and sustain a positive outlook.
Being Appreciative
Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. As humans, we tend to be drawn towards the negative parts of our lives, as they provide a factor to dwell upon and use as an opportunity to seek attention.
Actively beginning each day by acknowledging the blessings we often take for granted, such as being able to breathe, see, and walk on our own, allows us to gain a proper perspective on our lives so that we are not overwhelmed by gnawing negativity and anxiety.
Changing Perspective
It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but the meanings we assign to those events.
In essence, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. If you think you can do something or you can’t do something, your right; it’s all in your mind.
Mind, Head, and Heart
Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
The mind replays what the heart wants you to heal.
You will always have time for what you choose to have time for.
The portal to every next level is through the parts of yourself that you avoid.
Taking a step into the unknown feels scary because you can only see what you’re giving up, not what you will gain on the other side.
The Law of Assumption
By assuming a positive outcome and adopting a confident attitude, you can influence your reality.
By integrating simple but effective strategies, you can enhance your daily life, overcome challenges with greater ease, illuminate your path, and foster a more optimistic and fulfilling journey.
