I speak to a lot of organizations on the importance of positive leadership and the benefits of building a positive culture that fuels performance. Yet, the most common question I receive after my talk is: “Jon, this makes so much sense but my boss isn’t that kind of leader/manager. So how do I stay positive when my boss isn’t?”

I’ve been speaking to a lot of organizations around the country and the one thing I keep hearing from leaders and employees is that complaining is at an all time high. I’m not surprised. There are two main reasons why we complain. 1. We complain because we feel powerless. 2. We complain because it’s a habit. The economy has shaken a lot of people’s foundations and we feel powerless which leads to a rise in habitual complaining.

Over the years I've done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.

I woke up Saturday morning in Newport News, Virginia, looked out the hotel window and all I could see was snow. I called the airport and heard the news no traveler wants to hear. The airport was shut down. I was set to speak to Lia Sophia Jewelry that morning at the hotel where I was staying and that night I was scheduled to be at an event in New York City. I knew one thing in that moment. If I was going to get to NY I wouldn't be flying there. And most likely I would be stranded for a few days in Virginia. I decided to make the best of it and focus on inspiring, serving and impacting those in the audience.

Positive interactions are essential to a healthy marriage, positive work environment and individual and team success. In this spirit when you are finished reading this, I encourage you to go thank someone at work or at home and let them know how they impacted your life in a positive way. Then make it a habit.

Eric Musselman and Bob Starkey did such a great job summarizing and sharing tips from my book Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else on their blog that I decided to share what they wrote. Here are 10 tips to be your best this year. I hope after reading these tips you will be inspired to read Training Camp. Also share it with your team, your kids, your college students, or anyone who wants to be their best.

20 Tips for a Positive New Year

1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can know that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

2. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: My purpose is_______________________.

Nine years ago I looked out into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day with fear in my heart and uncertainty in my life. I had been fired from a "dot.com" company two weeks earlier with only two weeks of severance, no insurance for my two young children and only two months of savings in the bank...

The strongest may survive but it is the passionate that will thrive.

"How do you know if a man needs encouragement? If he is breathing." -Truett Cathy, Founder, Chick-Fil-A

Who knew that two simple words could change one's mindset, perspective and approach to work and life? Just two words have the potential to enhance joy, productivity, performance and change a complaining voice to an appreciative heart.

Each night before my children go to bed I ask them what their success of the day is. The idea came from a story I read about the Olympic gymnast, Bart Connor. Turns out 9 months before the 1984 Olympics he tore his bicep muscle. They said he would never make it back in time to compete in the Olympics. But not only did he make it back, he won two gold medals.

As a student of people and ideas I have to admit that what two guys are doing in a Northeast Florida Starbucks is absolutely genius.

The other day as I tried to pay for my green tea at my local Starbucks the cashier said, "Don't worry about it sir. Those guys over there are paying for it today."...

These are uncertain times. Employees are questioning how their industry and job will be impacted by the current economy. They’re unsure about what action to take. Unfortunately this uncertainly creates what I call a VOID and my theory is that where there is a VOID negativity will fill it.

They are uncomfortable because they are the best at what they do…and the best are never comfortable with where they are.

A young man asked me the other day if I had one piece of advice to give him, as he graduates college, what it would be. I told him to be humble and hungry...

20 Ways to Get Mentally Tough

(Excerpt from Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else)

Here's a question I bet you've never been asked before. At what mile do most people quit a marathon?

This is an article I wrote for April’s issue of Realtor Magazine. However as you’ll see, these tips apply to any profession.

Challenging times require leaders who can lead others through the challenges. Now more than ever we need great leadership in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals and organizations. Good leadership won’t suffice. We need great leadership. There is a difference...

Do you know what Fear and Faith have in common? A future that hasn’t happened yet. Fear believes in a negative future. Faith believes in a positive future...

Over the years I've done a lot of research on the positive effects of being positive and the negative affects of being negative. The research is clear. It really does pay to be positive and the benefits include enhanced health and longevity, happiness, career advancement, athletic performance, team building and financial success. Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live. In this spirit here are 11 benefits of being positive.

Whcih ones will you use?

Eight years ago I looked out into the Atlantic Ocean on New Years Day with fear in my heart and uncertainty in my life. I had been fired from a "dot.com" company two weeks earlier with only two weeks of severance....

In a world driven by numbers, outcomes and short term results building a positive, successful organization requires leaders like you and me to borrow a page from the playbook of John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach.

"You don't love me. You don't care. You're not taking this seriously," my wife said to me with tears streaming down her face as we left Lamaze class. We were expecting the birth of our first child. I was only 27. My brain wasn't fully developed yet so I turned to my wife and said, "Its ok. I'm good on Game Day. I've always been good on Game Day."

"Do you feel lucky?" It’s not just one of my favorite Clint Eastwood quotes, it’s also an important question each one of us should ask ourselves. Turns out luck, like much in life, has a lot to do with our beliefs and the energy and attitude we project. The luckier we feel and believe we are, the luckier we are.

Budgets are tightening. Layoffs are coming. Competition is building. Fear is spreading. And uncertainty is growing.

Staying positive doesn't mean you ignore this reality. Rather it means you stay positive and take positive action in spite of this reality - regardless of how bleak the situation may seem. Now is not a time to close your eyes and go to sleep hoping that when you wake up it was all just a nightmare.

I believe every one of us has a desire to accomplish great things, to do something meaningful, to have an impact. Yet, so many of us don't take the actions necessary to create the success we desire. Then there are others who are very busy taking actions but the actions have nothing to do with their vision and goals. They've become lost in the busyness of life.

These are uncertain times. People are wondering what bank is going to fail next. We're questioning how our industry and job will be impacted. We're confused about what action to take. Unfortunately this uncertainly creates what I call a VOID and my theory is that where there is a VOID negativity will fill it.