As the World Economic Crisis hit people were spun into chaos and financial gurus were called upon to make sense of the mess and offer advice. What came out of this dynamic unfolding was that people began to think the worst of the financial market and began to plan for a negative future. Meaning they were gun-shy when it came to investing. This way of thinking was very negative and to respond financial advisers have coined the phrase ANT.
ANT is Anti Negative Thinking. A pessimistic outlook and a negative viewpoint often feel like the safest place during crisis, pressure and stress. However NEgative thinking reduces energy, passion, engagement, vision and investment. Financial advisers understood this and therefore encouraged investors to develop an ANT approach, knowing that the market would (as it always has done) pick up again.
We need to have an ANT approach when it comes to matters of ministry for all the same reasons except the stakes are much higher. Anti Negative Thinking is developed as an active decision to view a set of circumstances from a more temporary position. Meaning when the pressure, stress and crisis are on, it's important to remind ourselves that this won't last forever, and if you can stay positive in your leadership throughout, it's likely that you'll lead better out of and away from that crisis.
Protect your ANTS!
