I was rereading Tom Rath’s valuable book, How Full Is Your Bucket, last week when I came across a suggestion that caught my attention. Rath and co-author Don Clifton point out that cigarette smoking has been shown to reduce life expectancy by 5.5 years for males and 7 years for females. (Of course this doesn’t mention the consequences of second hand smoke on the rest of us) Relating these smoking statistics to research on positive emotions and longevity, the authors suggest that negative emotions may very likely shave off more years of life (10) than even smoking. In light of this, maybe there should be a Surgeon General’s warning about the danger of negative emotions. No doubt, negative emotions are responsible for far more damage to individuals and families than smoking. This got me thinking.  

Smoking and negativity have a lot in common. Obviously, both begin as a choice. Over time, these choices become unconscious, automatic reflexes that inflict damage to oneself and those in close proximity. In addition to short term consequences, there are also the ultimate consequences of both smoking and negative emotions. Like smoking, expressing negative emotions provides temporary satisfaction that will inevitably need to be quenched again in the not to distant future. Both smoking and negativity become stubborn addictions that their owners become accustomed to and rationalize quite cleverly. As a non smoker, it’s hard for me to understand how someone could knowingly, willingly pollute their bodies with a cigarette or anything else for that matter. And I have the same curiosity for the negative crowd as well.  The damage spreads well beyond the source. As with smoking, the negative “bucket dippers” create a ripple effect of second hand negativity that circulates and pollutes their surroundings.  

If you have enough reasons to quit, you can snuff out that final cigarette once and for all. We all know those who have done it. Likewise, if you have a big enough “why” you can overcome negativity and the collateral damage it causes as well. Consider who you are building up as a result of your positive emotional energy. And, who are you pulling down as a result of your negative energy? How could you infuse your best relationships with your best self in the next 48 hours?  It’s worth thinking about! What do you think?

Coach