It is proven that a positive workplace encourages staff productivity and retention. Here are some tips from trainer and keynote speaker on workplace wellbeing Lee Chambers to how keep your workplace full of positivity.

• Demonstrate gratitude.

Always looking for positive attributes in others is one way to bring out your own positive qualities. Gratitude can help you to see things in a different light. It helps you keep things in perspective and can build trust, respect, and mutual appreciation between people. So, start doing those random acts of kindness today.

• Keep all messaging positive.

Words are powerful — never forget that. So, be sure to keep all your messaging positive. Communicate through a lens of optimism. You’ll soon see a big difference in the way recipients respond to your messages. Make your words, encouraging, passionate, authentic, and empowering for the biggest impact.

• Be Thankful.

Start being thankful for things. Everyone craves recognition and to be appreciated for their contributions. Simply saying “Thank you” to a co-worker can go a long way. Try to make being thankful a daily habit — yet, be sure to always be genuine. No-ones appreciates false platitudes.  A quick thank you email is often all people need to stay positive.

• Get excited about the small wins.

While it’s easy to get excited about reaching a major milestone, it’s important to remember to celebrate the small victories on route. Every time a goal is reached, someone took action, and it’s time to start recognizing that action. Overlooking little wins and robbing employees of well-deserved recognition for “behind-the-scenes” achievements isn’t going to contribute anything towards creating a positive work environment.

• Smile.

Smiles are infectious, so keeping smiling even if you don’t feel particularly happy. Smile especially when you’re in a bad place. It’s a way to trick your mind into deciding to be happy. A smile with authentic roots is even more contagious. Even if company projections look like the end of the world, it’s important to maintain hope for the future. Everything can be turned around — smile because you know that.

• Cultivate valuable relationships.

Building relationships is important. Fostering meaningful work relationships is crucial if you want to establish positivity in the workplace. Look for creative ways to relate to your colleagues. Out-of-hours social events can be an effective way to cultivate healthy relationships between co-workers, bosses, interns, and supervisors. Take steps to avoid succumbing to tunnel vision. To create the best work environment, you need to maintain valuable relationships with people at all authority levels.

• Remain cognizant of your mission.

Your firm’s team mission is a big deal. Knowing the “why” behind what you’re trying to promote will make it easier to stay on task during the worst workdays. If everyone is walking in the shadows and is desperate for a stroke of authentic optimism or hope, take time to remind your team (and yourself) about the “why” behind maintaining a positive approach to the goings-on.

The importance of positivity in the workplace should never be underestimated. It is powerful as it can increase resilience and boost the coping abilities of employees. There will, of course, be days when it seems almost unfathomable to be able to promote positivity, but you need to start embodying the messages you are trying to promote. Commit to seeing the good in even the most difficult of situations — that is the whole point of positivity. Remember, if your own mindset is not strong, it will be hard to recruit others.