Do you find it harder to stay positive in a negative world?
It seem’s like you can’t turn on the TV or read the news now a days without seeing something awful. Ebola, Murder, Rape, Poverty.
Life seems to truly be rough and awful for some and while I don’t buy into the entire hype you are what you think. Example, the book “The Secret”. “Think” and “Say” you have a million dollars and wholla, you do. Personally I think that is just a bunch of BS to help sell the book. If you want a million dollars, marry a millionaire, be born into a trust fund family or work your ass off!
However, I do believe our thoughts go a long way. I believe if we tell ourselves we can’t lose 10lbs, we wont. I believe if we tell ourselves were never going to find true love, we won’t. We will find the negative in the little things they do and sabotage it from the get go. We need to think happy, we need to be optimistic even when we don’t want to, we need to trick our mind. Even if your saying sometimes, “I can, I will, I’m happy, our actual thoughts are not thinking that. We need to re train our brains to think happy, be happy. Life can be simple, really it can.
I am going through a divorce, I have been heartbroken, broke, no job and I still wake up every day and realize I have so much to be happy about and thankful for. I am healthy, I have 3 amazing kids, I have family and friends who love me, I am lovable, so yeah someday when I am ready I will find Mr. Right. (my version of course) I have a roof over my head and food on my table and Xanax, har har har.
Am I drinking my favorite coffee, No. Am I eating exquisite meals, No? Am I going on vacations, No? Am I wearing designer clothes and walking around with designer hand bags, No? But guess what, I do walk around with a smile on my face and love in my heart and that to me trumps all that other stuff. Happiness is a choice, even in shitty situations.
So, wake up tomorrow, smile and say “I am going to be awesome today”. I am going to do GREAT things, be kind to others as it really will make you feel good about yourself and if things go all wrong, guess what. Tomorrow is a new day, a day to try all over again so really, don’t fret!
Here are a few other things that may help:
Believe in Yourself
Successful people start with a deep inner self-belief. It has been shown that self-belief is more important than intelligence, education or connections in terms of life-long achievement. The important starting point is your conviction that you are capable of significant achievement or that you have something special to contribute.
Set Clear Goals
If you have no destination then your journey is haphazard. If you write down ambitious but achievable goals, then you are already on the road to accomplishing them.
Take Ownership and Responsibility for Your Life
Don’t be a victim. Don’t blame others or circumstances. You are the captain of the boat and you decide where it goes and what happens. If you are unhappy with an aspect of your life, then form a plan to change it and take action.
Talk to Yourself
Become your own motivator by telling yourself positive things. For example: at the start of the day you might say to yourself, “I am going to do really well today.” Or, “I am going to make real progress towards my goals.” When things go wrong or you falter, don’t make excuses—say something like, “That was my fault, but I can learn from that setback.”
Eliminate the Negative
Use positive self-talk to overcome the doubts and negative thoughts that creep into your mind. Deliberately eliminate worries about difficulties and obstacles by taking a positive attitude, “I can overcome this challenge.” You do not ignore problems—you face up to them with a constructive and optimistic attitude.
Associate with Positive People
Among your friends, relatives, and associates there are probably some upbeat, positive, optimistic, dynamic people and some downbeat, negative, pessimistic or cynical people. Think about them for a moment and select examples of each. You should spend more time with the positive people and less time with the negative people. The optimists will inspire and encourage you, while the pessimists will feed your doubts and make you depressed.
Count Your Blessings
We tend to take all the good things in our lives for granted and focus on our failings and needs instead.
Find the Silver Lining
Learn to look for the opportunities in every situation that comes along. Every change brings good as well as bad, opportunities as well as threats. The people who do well in life are the ones who use setbacks as springboards for new successes.
Relax and Enjoy Life More
Lighten up a little. If you can laugh at things then you can cope with them more easily. Don’t try to do everything at once. Don’t become overburdened with work. Deliberately give yourself little treats and do things that make you smile. Laughter is the best medicine—and the cheapest—so try to keep a balance between work, exercise, relationships and play.
Fake It.
If all else fails then fake it. If you are really worried, nervous, or doubtful, then pretend that you are confident and self-assured. Acting the role helps you develop the attitudes and behaviors that go with the part. You can fool the audience, and more importantly, you can fool your brain—you will start to be the confident, positive person that you are acting!