Open Mind vs. Positivity

Me: "If you think that it's going to go badly, then it more than likely will."
 
Him: "Well I went over there with an open mind, but…"

Stop right there. An open mindset is not be confused with a positive one. It is one step up from a negative mindset, but it is not equal to positivity.

An 'open' mindset leaves room for both positivity AND negativity, as illustrated by the example. Going into a conversation or situation with an 'open' mind usually means that you have your reservations about said conversation or situation, but you're willing to see something that can change your mind (come on, admit it). A person with a positive mindset, however, doesn't allow different or even bad/negative ideas to affect them negatively.

Say, for example, the person in the scenario above was investigating his move to a much more busy, much more inhabited work space instead of staying in his nice, isolated cubicle. This person, who has an 'open' mind, sees the cramped space, the recycled air, the bacteria, the noise and uncomfortable nature of the move. But here's the kicker: he already had these expectations before he began investigating the space. With his 'open' mind, he was looking to eliminate negatives instead of gaining positives.

Now let's take that same scenario with a person with a positive mindset. He sees the increased ability to collaborate with others, the more effective communications, the mobility, and the opportunity to take advantage of a change. He may see the same negatives, but he doesn't let those affect how he perceives the situation. And in his eyes, even if it doesn't work out, it's not a negative but a learning experience.

B +