by Amy Applebaum

Don’t be a Debbie Downer…lighten up!  Ever slip off the back of your leather chair in the middle of an important business conference? Ever spew milk through your nose over a friend’s unexpected joke? Ever (sorry, I’m going to go there) expel, shall we say, a “not-so-silent-but-deadly” in the middle of an otherwise perfectly romantic moment? Sure, you can use the embarrassing moment as reason to hide under the covers and obsess about what a fool you are or you can crack a joke and move on. Life’s too short! Lighten up, already!

Then there’s the “Debbie Downer” syndrome: the person who, no matter what the topic, offers the worst case scenario. A great steak dinner becomes a lesson on Mad Cow Disease. There’s the friend that recites divorce statistics while at a wedding reception or looks upon each birthday as one year closer to impending death. Yikes! Come ‘on. Lighten up!

I can’t stress enough the positive impact of playfulness, humor and levity even during the most trying times in your life. Keep this mantra in mind:

1. Take your job seriously but not your life.

2. Take your relationships seriously but enjoy the people with whom you relate.

3. Don’t be afraid to make fun of yourself: We all make mistakes and it makes you more human

We’ve all heard that cheesy line: it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. But the truth is, being a constant downer is self-defeating in so many ways. The more negative your thoughts the less empowering your actions will likely follow. By making that effort to lighten up a bit, you will more likely be able to spot that “silver lining,” and work towards more positive goals.

Looking to grow your business and need support, check out Amy Applebaum’s Release Your Inner Millionairess Business Coaching Club