Negativity. The word itself has a dark cloud looming over it. Negativity has a reputation that is…well…negative. It’s the glass-half-empty concept, the constant complaints, the low self-esteem. But how can negativity positively impact your life?

Negativity can move you into action.

Pessimists are more likely to think about future issues and thus be able to plan and prepare for them. According to Julie K. Norem, Ph.D., author of The Positive Power of Negative Thinking, 30 to 35 percent of Americans participate in a type of negativity called, “defensive pessimism.” Norem says, “Defensive pessimism – thinking specifically about what might go wrong – can turn anxiety into action.” For example, your nerves and negativity may cause you to work harder on that class project. By working harder you are more prepared and your anxiety decreases. That’s right, defensive pessimism is more good than bad.

Defensive pessimism ignites motivation. According to Lawrence Sanna, PhD, professor of psychology, “Defensive pessimists tend to be very successful people, and so their low opinion of the outcome isn’t realistic; they use it to motivate themselves to perform better.”

If the fear of messing up and embarrassing yourself isn’t motivating enough for you to put the effort into a class project, then you may need to create an additional repercussion. If the project doesn’t get positive feedback, then you participate in a punishment of sorts – not joining a night out with your friends, cancelling your Netflix account, cleaning a friend’s dorm room, donating money to the political party you don’t support. Using contrived negative outcomes to motivate yourself can be powerful. To make yourself follow through with the threat of punishment, you may need to ask someone to keep you accountable.

Negativity can inspire independence, individuality and creativity.

How? Negativity can destroy group mentality. Contributor Jared Lewis of eHow Money pulled from resources outside the United States when he wrote, “In a 2004 article for ‘Ekonomia Journal,’ Lukasz Sulkowski notes that negativity can actually have some positive benefits. Sulkowski asserts that an overemphasis on collectivism and group culture can actually thwart creativity and subvert decision-making ability to the group mentality. Negativity can help destroy that dependence upon the collective mind and force the individual to rely upon his own mental faculties.”

Negativity can positively impact your life by not only motivating you but also by creating opportunities for independence, individuality and creativity.

Your turn– How will you use negativity as a benefit in your life?