The Power of Positivity 

By Steve Ryan  

I was talking to my public speaking class last week and teaching them how to have a persuasive voice when speaking. As future nurses, they will have to be persuasive at times.  

The topic I chose to demonstrate for their persuasive speech was the topic of Staying Positive and Being Positive in the face of adversity.  

After I demonstrated the speech for about 5 minutes, I realized how difficult it is to stay positive in the face of assignments, deadlines, requirements, tests, practicals, speeches, and presentations.  

But it is not impossible.  

Staying positive is all about a mindset. Practice shaping your mind to find the positive within the negative. An article from “Lifestyle.org” states, “We must take charge of our mind and condition it to think and look for the positive the blessing, in every situation, even if we’re searching for it through blurry, tear-filled eyes.” 

Also, remember that you are not alone.  

We all have negative thoughts occasionally. This is a natural response to the pressures of the moment.  

But you are here for a reason – to become a nurse! Reach deep to realize why you are here and why it’s important for you to succeed! Tell yourself: “I have to do this. I need to do this. I will do this.” Ask yourself: “How can I overcome this and find the positive in this moment?”  

I remember my days as a student very clearly. I was working at the New York Post newspaper in the daytime in downtown Manhattan (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and then I would go to graduate school at night in Harlem, about an hour away in the opposite direction of my parents’ apartment. Then there was the long train ride home, the Staten Island ferry, and a bus ride). I would get home in time for 4 hours of sleep and turn around and do it all over again the next day. Negative thoughts were very visible. But I realized the reason I was doing it. I wanted to be successful. I wanted a Master’s degree.  

I graduated with my Master’s degree. At 24 years old, I was a reporter/editor for the New York Post, and I had achieved a major milestone in my career.  

Positivity had overcome the negative situations!  

Take a look toward the future. What does your future look like if you succeed here at AUHS? I think it looks very positive!  

Philippians 4:6 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

I encourage you to approach each day with a positive outlook and face trials and pressures with a positive attitude.