Our ability to recognise and use opportunities could be clouded by the negativity surrounding the credit-crunch era.

Many businesses have crumbled and jobs have been lost. Those who thrive during difficult times have equipped themselves with crucial survival tools - including a positive mindset and winning attitude.

Retired baseball player Wade Boggs once said: "A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results."

A positive frame of mind helps identify opportunities in difficult situations and facilitates innovation and adaptation to change.

Change is inevitable in the world of business, says Caryn Conidaris of The Human Resource Practice. She says a positive attitude "contributes to increased coping with challenges perceived as opportunities rather than problems".

An interesting exercise, she says, is to show - as one word - "opportunityisnowhere". It elicits different kinds of reactions from people.

"Amanda reacted with incredible amount of devastation and despair. Her negativity influenced her to perceive the word as 'opportunity is nowhere' and hence her sense of hopelessness.

"Interestingly, Susan cheerfully rolled up her sleeves and prepared herself to benefit from presenting opportunities as she read the word as 'opportunity is now here'.

"If you are like Amanda and you view the world under a negative light, you may consider an attitude makeover. The lenses through which we view the world determine our perceptions and reactions to challenges and opportunities.

"Managers who feed their minds with a positive mindset diet often perceive challenges as opportunities for innovation and change within their organisations. These managers tackle economic threats and instabilities with sober-mindedness and clear strategy.

"Leaders constantly provide positivity, direction and plan for the organisations. Emotionally intelligent individuals and leaders know better to keep their minds nourished with the right kind of attitude to stay on track," says Conidaris.

Mindset-change coach Greg Melvill-Smith, of The Human Resource Practice, stresses the importance of challenging our perceptions.

"Emotional intelligence is pivotal in success by facilitating emotional understanding and problem-solving. It therefore comes as no surprise that people with higher levels of emotional intelligence perceive challenging situations as opportunities," he says.

Organisations are now recognising the critical role of attitude, which is associated with emotional intelligence, he says.

"We all have the ability to acquire and improve our emotional intelligence with the right training and coaching."