The Power of Positive Thinking
Positive thinking is really powerful. And while it may sound simple, reading a few motivational quotes every now and then or repeating affirmations in front of the mirror doesn't make positive thinking happen. You have to work at it.
Rather than focusing on what is wrong with your life and why you can't get things done, try flipping the script. Instead of writing down all the reasons why you can't do something, write out all the reasons why you are capable of doing it. Remember that a change needs to be more than just temporary—it needs to be long-lasting so that you don't slip back into misery like before.
Here's a look at some tangible ways to get this positive thinking in gear.
Make A List Of All The Reasons To Be Positive That You Can Think Of. This doesn't have to be long, but it should be enough to train your mind. Start by listing the positive things others have said to you, what your health is like, or the great times you've had with friends and family. Don't forget everything that is unusual about you or your environment, either! Sometimes all it takes is a few possibilities that aren't on any other list of positives.
Well-Being. The first step is where a lot of people mess up. You have to realize that you are well-situated for the moment and that things will improve or at least stabilize if you just give yourself the time to heal. There are many ways to get well, but finding one that works best for you is what matters most.
It's okay if the process doesn't go according to schedule—you can always try it again in a week or two if things seem dismal. If nothing else, consider that you have gone through far worse situations than this before and made it through alive... so don't let this be the end of your story.
Learn To Stop Worrying. Here are some suggestions on why:
You don't need to worry about everything all of the time: things will work out. You don't need to worry about what others think of you: they'll probably like you anyway. You don't need to worry about what will happen in the future: it's right now that matters most. People may give you a hard time or say mean things, but get over it quickly and move on without letting it bring you down—you're too busy creating positive memories with friends and family!
Live Unapologetically In The Now . Consider that all the events are happening right now, and not in the past or future. When you continue to live in the past or future, you will only experience negative things. This is your time to shine in the present so enjoy it!
Make Sure That You Are Not Complaining About Anything . If you keep complaining about how hard something is for you then it must be very difficult—so why be bothered by it? It's up to you whether or not something is worth complaining about. You have to ask yourself if there's anything positive coming out of this situation anyway—maybe something good will come out of it!
Consider All The Good You Have Had Recorded. Remember the good things that have happened to you. Nothing can take away the bad or the good, but you can't add to it no matter how much you want to. So be proud of all that you have accomplished already—and I mean beyond anything that is generally considered "positive thinking" . Do this with a particular emphasis on getting rid of fear and doubt (which are negative emotions).
Erase All Negativity From Your Life... If It's There. By looking at yourself in the mirror each morning, you will not only see a new person who has changed their life for better so much that they could never go back, but also see someone who will not have any fear or negativity left inside. Make sure you turn away from negative people and negative situations, and don't let them affect how you feel.
Visualization . Visualizing is common practice in sports, but it's also a powerful force in self-improvement. Instead of seeing yourself doing something that doesn't look real, make it real by adding little details such as scent or even just seeing your feet hit the ground. It's like having an extra "insider" that helps see what is going on down there (you know, just to make it seem more realistic). Ultimately, visualization will help you achieve what you're trying to accomplish without any doubt... so bring out the big guns!
Plan Your Day . Make sure you plan each day so that you have something to look forward to. The key is to have goals and a way of dealing with failure, and do it all in a positive manner. Plan out how you will accomplish your tasks, and don't let yourself get distracted by the inevitable negative thoughts that will come up.
Make A Wish To Be Happy . If you want to be positive then try wishing for it! It's easy as long as you say it with feeling. Doing this on your birthday or the day after (this can take time depending on how serious you are about being positive) might help, too. You can either say it out loud or just think of the kindest possible outcome.
By thinking about these things and more, you'll be able to make the mental leap towards being positive. Of course, you can always just be positive in general and not worry about all of this... but if you want to make a change then this is the kind of thing you need to do!
Consider What You Do As A Means To An End . Whatever it is that you are doing needs to help you get somewhere. If not, then what's the point? You have to focus on your goals and don't let yourself get distracted by anything else. Doing so is a sure way to be positive—and even happier!
Don't Get Carried Away With The Negative . Most negative thoughts will pass by in a few seconds anyway. So don't let them stand in the way of what you want to do. I know it's difficult not to worry, but as long as you replace that fear with excitement and curiosity that's really all that matters.
You have your mind, but it can't be used unless your environment supports it. You have everything you need to make yourself the kind of person that is happy with who they are and what they have going for them—so use your mind (and your body!)!
Ask Yourself If It Is Worth Worrying About .
Conclusion
Positive thinking can be difficult at first, but it's a skill we all should have. At least for me, the practice of positive thinking is something that has been ongoing for years. It takes time and effort to see results—but that's all that you need to do to practice any type of self improvement!
Every time I feel trapped, I do my best attempt to think about what it is that I am doing and if it is really worth worrying about. This is how I clear up my head so that I can formulate a plan. And as simple as this might seem, you might be surprised by how many people don't even think to ask themselves such questions...