Have you ever noticed how long a negative comment hangs with you? Do you remember the last time someone told you how nice you looked? The last time someone insulted you. Interesting how is easy it can be to recall the later over the former.

Negativity occurs in all walks of life. It’s highly impactful and highly contagious.

In fitness settings negativity can not only tear you down but your training partners/teammates as well. A simple ‘I feel like crap today’ can spread like wildfire. It’s so easy to blow it off and dismiss it as a non-issue, but in addition to being contagious negativity grows. Announcing ‘I feel like crap’ may get you a few eye rolls but it may also get a few "me too's". Suddenly you’ve become an enabler, and you didn’t even realize it. You and your buddies have succumbed to complaining and blaming. Instead of having a productive session it has now evolved into self-pity and misplaced sympathy.

Yes, we all have bad days and yes it helps to hash it out with friends, but will it actually help you or bring you down? Complaining about a workout during the workout isn’t productive, just like complaining about work while at work. Training through your bad mood very well may eradicate it. See if you still want to complain about how awful you feel or how stupid/hard/whatever the workout was when you are done. Your mind might be changed by then.

The power of positivity is there when you foster it consistently. It’s harder. Like most good things are. But a group of people who positively work together are destined to succeed. Hard work does beat talent, but hard work mixed with confidence and positivity is a FORCE!

So, the next time you want to complain think about what the desired outcome is. Do you really want someone to commiserate with you so you can be miserable together and accomplish 50% of your goal? Or can you manage to stuff it back down and work through it? I guarantee you will be happier with yourself if you do.