How positive language helps us set resolute resolutions for 2022

We’ve been in limbo for a long time. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the world went into what felt like a free fall. We lost freedoms, loved ones, homes and livelihoods. In the midst of it all, we saw a rise in positive and optimistic social media slogans. On Instagram alone, the #positivevibes hashtag now has over 75 million posts. And at Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich), we introduced our own optimistic hashtag: #WhatCanGoRight. Unusual for an industry that normally focuses on what can go wrong to remind people of the need for coverage.

It’s easy to raise a cynical eyebrow at these optimistic messages. But as we head into a new year, these words can help us to tap into our neurological tools that can help us to set and stick to achievable goals.

“To really drive change, one needs to paint a positive vision of the future and take positive action towards it,” says Frank Reitgassl, Group Head of Brand Strategy & Development at Zurich. “That’s true to personal performance, like in sports, but also crucial to drive societal change and tackling big challenges like climate change. That’s why we want to reframe the conversation and adopt a ‘What Can Go Right?’ attitude for our brand. Informed optimism is contagious and can help us overcome any challenge, together.”

But positive thinking alone may not be enough. There are other tips that can help you achieve your goals. By thinking positively, breaking down our goals, enlisting the support of friends and family, and practicing daily affirmations, we can give our New Year’s resolutions the best shot at life-enhancing longevity. Learn more…

Start thinking positively

Positive thinking really can help improve your health. The positive thinking associated with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. And effective stress management has many health benefits.

Positive thinking doesn’t mean you stick your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. You need to be an informed optimist. This means approaching unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. Think that the best is going to happen, not the worst.

Using positive language is a good start. It can literally change your brain. Positive words like ‘peace,’ ‘love’ and ‘great’ strengthen areas of the brain’s frontal lobes and promote cognitive function. This means that simply hearing and using positive language can make you feel great physically, mentally and emotionally. On the flip side, negative language can block the brain’s natural de-stress mechanisms.

So yes, following Zurich’s mantra – and asking, what can go right? – is a good first step. And try adding other positive words into your everyday language.

Break down your goals

When we set a goal, our brains are hardwired to treat it as if it’s something we’ve already achieved. This changes the way we visualize ourselves on a subconscious level. When we then fail to accomplish the goal, we form a negative self-image which can hamper the chances of achieving goals in the future – we simply start to lack confidence in our own abilities.

Instead, experts advise that we break down our goals into more achievable tasks. For instance, if the goal is to get fit, we should celebrate each step toward that goal, from signing up for a gym membership to tracking progress like running on a treadmill twice a week then increasing it to three times a week. This increases the serotonin and dopamine uptake in our brains, and these are the chemicals responsible for the feeling of happiness that motivates us to continue pursuing a goal.

Speak it into existence

This is a popular phrase on social media. But it isn’t as easy as simply asking for what we want and then waiting for an opportunity to arise. Instead, it’s easier to put this into practice by sharing your goal with trusted friends and family – people you feel accountable to. In this way, we create a positive use for the social pressure we often find intimidating and even negative.

Researchers at The Ohio State University found that sharing your goals with people whose opinions you value and respect does more than hold us accountable. It keeps us motivated simply because we care what these people think of us and are therefore more aware of the disappointment we’ll feel if we flounder.

Be kind to yourself

What does it mean to treat yourself with the same kindness you’d afford a friend or stranger? In the practice of mindfulness and meditation, it often takes the form of daily affirmations such as ‘I am strong,’ ‘I will speak up for myself,’ or ‘My ideas have value.’ In our day-to-day lives, we might stick notes like this on a mirror or create a vision board. But we know the work doesn’t stop there.

By saying these affirmations every day, breaking down your goals into achievable tasks and finding safe spaces in which to hold ourselves accountable, we’re forming positive habits and will be more likely to see and feel the chemical returns of that investment in the brain.

In a 2016 study published in the Social Cognitive and Affective Science journal, researchers concluded that “when threatened, self-affirmations can restore self-competence by allowing individuals to reflect on sources of self-worth, such as core values.”

As we head into 2022, try and put the negativity of the previous two years behind you. Approach the year in a more positive and optimistic frame of mind. And don’t be afraid to set goals. Who knows what is possible when you put your mind to it?

Positive language can lead to positive outcomes. So drop the pessimism and cynicism and ask your yourself, what can go right?