As we approach the festive season and look back on another year it is easy in the rush and excitement of Xmas to forget our colleagues who may have had a difficult time for one reason or another. One thing I have learnt, or perhaps relearnt, is the importance of staying hopeful; of looking for a silver lining no matter how bad a professional or personal situation may appear at first sight. This is particularly helpful at a time of year when our working world can be especially chaotic with real and imagined year-end deadlines to meet. In a work context I like this definition of silver lining from the Cambridge Dictionary “an advantage that comes from a difficult or unpleasant situation.” While ChatGPT quite succinctly suggests “A silver lining refers to the positive aspect or outcome in a challenging or negative situation. It’s a metaphorical way of expressing hope or optimism in the middle of difficulty.”
It was apparently the Victorians who coined the adage “every cloud has a silver lining”, but there is an even earlier reference from the English poet John Milton
“Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
see Meaning And Origin Of ‘Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining.
It is difficult I know when things are not going well for whatever reason in our professional working lives, but I have come to realise that even in extreme adversity there may be opportunity. As the Dalai Lama commented “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”
To my great surprise there is actually quite a lot of science behind this approach. See this paper from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology Holding a silver lining theory: When negative attributes heighten performance which observes “A silver lining theory is a form of lay theory in which a negative personal attribute is associated with a positive personal attribute. Impulsive individuals, for example, may hold a silver lining theory that their negative attribute of impulsivity is associated with their positive attribute of being creative.” Lay theories “are common-sense based theories that people use to make sense of their self and surroundings”.
And there are ways to encourage this positive attitude even in adversity - see this article 36 Ways to Find a Silver Lining During Challenging Times which says “Fortunately, many coping strategies have been found to be effective at minimizing the effects of hardship. One simple but powerful way to enhance resilience is to find silver linings within painful or arduous situations.” It continues “The ability to perceive silver linings is an optimistic mindset that promotes emotional resilience and the ability to adapt to future challenges.” Then it suggests (actually 22) practical steps to achieve this including:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
See this Forbes article How To Find The Silver Lining which says “One of the most vital aspects of being human is being able to imagine what the future holds and maintain a sense of hope when things don’t go our way.” It counsels that you should “make a habit of finding the silver lining” and “that the key to creating motivation and optimism for yourself is to celebrate your successes and milestones”.
I also like this Psychology Today blog 4 Ways to See the Silver Lining in Anything which advocates “Acknowledge your ability to be positive” and “Become aware of when you are being optimistic or pessimistic” and concludes with a great quote from poet Walt Whitman: “Keep your face toward the sunshine—and the shadows will fall behind you.”
While this blog 10 Ways to Find Your Silver Lining in Any Circumstance suggests “At its core, finding your silver lining is a shift in perspective” and recommends
Perhaps our most obvious silver lining at this time of year is that Xmas is coming which should provide a break from the busy real or virtual office!
As the poet and musician Leonard Cohen said “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
While the painter Henri Matisse sagely observed “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
And as a good concluding thought on this topic “Only in the darkness can you see the stars” – Martin Luther King.
It was apparently the Victorians who coined the adage “every cloud has a silver lining”, but there is an even earlier reference from the English poet John Milton
“Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
see Meaning And Origin Of ‘Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining.
It is difficult I know when things are not going well for whatever reason in our professional working lives, but I have come to realise that even in extreme adversity there may be opportunity. As the Dalai Lama commented “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”
To my great surprise there is actually quite a lot of science behind this approach. See this paper from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology Holding a silver lining theory: When negative attributes heighten performance which observes “A silver lining theory is a form of lay theory in which a negative personal attribute is associated with a positive personal attribute. Impulsive individuals, for example, may hold a silver lining theory that their negative attribute of impulsivity is associated with their positive attribute of being creative.” Lay theories “are common-sense based theories that people use to make sense of their self and surroundings”.
And there are ways to encourage this positive attitude even in adversity - see this article 36 Ways to Find a Silver Lining During Challenging Times which says “Fortunately, many coping strategies have been found to be effective at minimizing the effects of hardship. One simple but powerful way to enhance resilience is to find silver linings within painful or arduous situations.” It continues “The ability to perceive silver linings is an optimistic mindset that promotes emotional resilience and the ability to adapt to future challenges.” Then it suggests (actually 22) practical steps to achieve this including:
- Be optimistic
- Practice compassion
- Recognise self-fulfilling prophecies
- Learn when to approach a situation with acceptance, courage, and wisdom
- Consider it a challenge
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
See this Forbes article How To Find The Silver Lining which says “One of the most vital aspects of being human is being able to imagine what the future holds and maintain a sense of hope when things don’t go our way.” It counsels that you should “make a habit of finding the silver lining” and “that the key to creating motivation and optimism for yourself is to celebrate your successes and milestones”.
I also like this Psychology Today blog 4 Ways to See the Silver Lining in Anything which advocates “Acknowledge your ability to be positive” and “Become aware of when you are being optimistic or pessimistic” and concludes with a great quote from poet Walt Whitman: “Keep your face toward the sunshine—and the shadows will fall behind you.”
While this blog 10 Ways to Find Your Silver Lining in Any Circumstance suggests “At its core, finding your silver lining is a shift in perspective” and recommends
- Cultivate good health
- Practice gratitude
- Notice the small things
Perhaps our most obvious silver lining at this time of year is that Xmas is coming which should provide a break from the busy real or virtual office!
As the poet and musician Leonard Cohen said “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
While the painter Henri Matisse sagely observed “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
And as a good concluding thought on this topic “Only in the darkness can you see the stars” – Martin Luther King.
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