If you’ve known me for long, you probably know this:
I’m Sharla Jolley Ellis — and positivity is woven into who I am.
My maiden name is Jolley, and my dad would always remind us to live up to our name. He would also say that we are Jolley, no matter the mood.
He meant it. Everyone called him “Jolley,” because he lived it so sincerely.
My grandma, Mona Bowen Jolley, used to laugh that her name told her exactly what to do: “Mona B. Jolley.”
And she was — endlessly warm, optimistic, and rooted in gratitude.
So yes, positivity is in my DNA.
A lens.
A habit.
A strength.
And eventually… a strategy.
But here’s what I want to say gently:
You don’t have to be born positive to become positive.
Positivity is a skill — one that can be learned, strengthened, and expanded over a lifetime.
My mentor Todd Duncan says it best:
Positivity wins the day.
Positivity backed by skill wins the market.
Positivity backed by skill with perseverance changes your life.
And he’s right.
Why Positivity Matters (Especially Now)
Let’s be honest:
Negative energy drains people.
Negative attitudes close doors.
Negative mindsets make life heavier than it needs to be.
Who wants that from a mom, friend, co-worker, Realtor, lender, or leader?
No one.
Positivity doesn’t ignore reality —
it helps you face reality with strength, clarity, and possibility.
And here’s the best part:
The more you practice it, the more it grows.
Science Backs It — Optimism Strengthens Everything
Research consistently shows that optimistic people:
• Think more clearly under pressure
• Recover faster from setbacks
• Build deeper relationships
• Handle money stress better
• Are more resilient and adaptable
• Experience less burnout
• Even live longer
In other words:
Optimism changes outcomes — in life and in business.
What Positivity Has Taught Me (The Short Version)
Nearly four decades in lending has taken me through incredible markets… and tough ones. Through all of them, one truth has stayed steady:
Your mindset determines your momentum.
Positivity helps you stay consistent.
Consistency builds credibility.
Credibility builds trust.
And trust builds a life and business that last – this is simply what happens when optimism becomes your operating system.
If Positivity Doesn’t Come Naturally to You… Start Here
Positivity grows when you guard your mindset, redirect your thoughts, and choose the path that leads to peace instead of pressure.
A few places to begin:
- Be intentional about what you allow into your world.
- Notice when your thinking starts to spiral — and interrupt it quickly.
- Give weight to what’s working, not just what’s missing.
- Choose habits that energize your mind and your spirit.
- Say no to the things that cost you too much internally.
- And most importantly — choose people who help you rise.
These aren’t big moves.
They’re small, daily ones.
But they’re powerful.
And they compound beautifully over time.
A Gentle Reminder for Anyone Needing One
You don’t need a perfect life to choose a positive one.
And you don’t need a perfect plan to become unstoppable.
Every powerful shift starts with a small one — a mindset, a decision, a moment of clarity.
Positivity is the lens that helps you see what’s possible, not just what’s present.
And when you protect that lens, everything else gets lighter, clearer, and more aligned.
Positivity really is a superpower —
and when you practice it on purpose, one day and one choice at a time…
it becomes the path that leads you forward.
—S.
