Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  February 06, 2025

The Power of a Positive Environment in Work and Learning

Support is not a luxury in these times of constant upheaval. We all know that friends and colleagues make a difference. However, a recent trip to Saudi Arabia taught me that a positive environment can also be significant.

The back story: While touring a private university, I was struck by how intentionally they had designed a positive environment. The walls were filled with a wide variety of motivational sayings. The common theme was: Yes, we know it’s hard work. And you can do this. The effort is worth it.

Creating a Positive Environment

Building a positive environment isn’t just about encouragement from others—it’s about surrounding yourself with reminders that keep you motivated.

• Constant repetition. Friends can’t always be there for you. But what you see while sitting at your desk can. So, ask yourself: What do I need to be reminded of? Put that message in high-traffic areas.

• Saturation. Another thing I noticed was the sheer volume of the messages. These quotes were everywhere—you couldn’t walk down the hall without seeing at least five of them. The type filled the space. All were different, but they said the same thing.

This was not about “toxic positivity”—messages that overlooked the hard work and struggle involved. It was about cultivating a positive environment that acknowledges challenges while encouraging progress. We can all benefit from being intentional about the messages we surround ourselves with.

Now Read This:

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