7 Practical Tips To Achieve a Positive Mindset
Introduction
It can be hard for many people to achieve a positive mindset. Life
can be difficult for many different reasons and there is a wide
variety of aspects which can negatively affect your mood.
Thankfully, there are many ways of giving our minds the best
possible way to be positive. In this book, we focus on seven
practical tips that are going to give you a more positive mindset
and improve your life.
If you follow these tips you’ll have a much better chance of
obtaining happiness and being successful in both your personal
life and your career.
Chapter 1: Turn Failures into
Lessons
Ever wondered why successful people put so much emphasis on
learning from mistakes? It’s a universal truth that life is all about
turning your failures into a path of success but it’s also through
failures themselves that we get exposure to the harsh realities of
life.
The secret lies in learning from your failures rather than getting
disappointed by them. As a general rule, this principle can be
applied in all walks of life but it becomes much apparent in our
practical life.
The harsh reality is that you will be confronted with multiple points
of failures when it comes to people and the jobs you undertake.
Accept Your Failures
The power of accepting your mistakes or errors is the first rule you
need to keep in mind. In essence, accepting failure showcases
your willingness to learn. Some of us, due to ambition or egoism,
deny the fact that they failed and instead blame their failures on
others as a source of keeping themselves motivated. This can be
catastrophic for your career or life. If you do not accept your
failures, chances are your learning capacity will remain stagnant.
Don’t Let Failure Consume You
When you have failed in a certain project, don’t think that it should
have been easy. It will be hard, you will be tested and the burden of
proving yourself will be immense. This is the point where most
people breakdown. They either give up or become accustomed to
failures and forget to learn. This is where you need to accept the fact
that you made the mistake and you’re willing to prove yourself.
Don’t Fear Failure
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure itself is not dangerous. The danger
lies in the fear of facing failure itself. The thing is when we fail
whether in establishing a positive relationship with a coworker or
in a task. Our instinct tells us that such a situation should be
avoided in the future. This is where you need to change how you
think. Do not avoid chances of failing. Rather, when you’re
confronted with failure, learn it and make sure to not repeat the
same mistake.
Consistency Is The Key To Success
We are not talking about the consistency to fail. We are
emphasizing on the point that learning from your mistakes should
be a consistent factor. The fact is maybe you’ll fail multiple times
and you might get overwhelmed by the criticism. During this
process, you fail to learn anything significant. It is all about how
well you can manage criticism and become consistent in learning.
Learn From The Failure Of Others
You are not the only one who fails. There are successful people out
there who have failed before. You will have coworkers who will be
failing maybe in the same tasks as you. The point is, consider the
world you live in as a place where there are opportunities to learn
at all times. Learning from the failures of others can be a great
way to avoid going down the same road in the future.
Chapter 2: Focus on The Good Things
Focusing on good things might seem easy, but is it? The media is
awash with all sorts of negative news. Every day comes with its
own set of challenges. A forced smile has become commonplace.
Having a real laugh has become a mirage.
It is easy to get lost in the negatives, but remember the words of
John Milton, "The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a
Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." This quote is geared at
ensuring you focus on the good things around you.
Count The Good Things
As small as they might be, they are tangible. Remembering only
the things that go wrong will only get you worked up and stressed.
Your health will suffer for it.
Even in times of darkness, there are numerous aspects of life to be
thankful for. Remembering all the good in your life will help you
not to be consumed by any negatives and leave you with a much
more positive mindset.
One of the ways to ensure you focus on the good things is to
identify your sweet spots – those things that make you happy. It is
that simple. If it is family, have videos of those family moments on
your mobile device and indulge yourself in such whenever things
look gloomy.
Unsure about what makes you happy? Well, everyone has
something or someone that makes them happy. You will just have
to do some soul-searching to find yours and when you do, make it
a habit to keep yourself happy. Fortunately or unfortunately, life
isn’t a video game, so just be happy while you have the chance.
Meditate More
Focusing on good things can be difficult with the negative vibes
coming from the world around us. One way to block out these
negative vibes and energy around you is through meditation.
Meditation is akin to wiping the slate of your mind clean. This could
be great considering the toxicity in the world right now. Like a blank
check, your refreshed mind after a meditation exercise gives
you a unique opportunity to fill your mind with only the good
things.
Meditation helps you understand how your mind works and you
can use that to your advantage in seeing only the good in
everything.
Perspective Is Everything
Different events highlight the importance of perspective in your
general well-being.
The long debate of a half-empty, half-full glass might have raged
on long enough, but what side of the divide will always weigh on
what you see around you? Changing such a perspective, if
negative, might not be easy, but you just have to take the first step
and acknowledge your position.
It is said that good things come to those who wait, but that is
probably flawed. There is enough good around us, if we only open
our eyes to see them. Maybe then we wouldn’t keep waiting for
something that is already before us.
Chapter 3: Start the day in a Positive
Mood
Mornings bring the joy of another day in your life. The way you
start your day determines the rest of it and on a larger scale the
outlook towards life. If you are not a morning person and wake up
exhausted, you can end up not seeing the good things that can
happen throughout a day.
Have A Positive Thought
This is so because you are overlooking small details and aspects
for which you can be grateful in life. Your happy mornings don't
necessarily have to be a complicated routine, it can involve simple
things as a small positive thought.
All you have to do is to give it a try. Every day comes with new
opportunities you only have to seize the day and take a moment to
appreciate little happenings. All small actions in the morning can
brighten up your whole day.
On waking up the first thing to do is simply think about your
positive attribute that makes you or people around you happy; the
things that you do best. It will urge you to step out of your bed in a
happy mood and you can make the best out of it. A study reveals
that people showing gratitude not only are optimistic about their
life but also possess physical fitness because of their positive
attitude.
Stretching in the bed for few minutes can improve your mood and
boost your energy as it releases dopamine. It is reputed as a feelgood hormone. It enables you to concentrate on your work
throughout the day and to stay motivated. Removing the curtains
to enable the view of sunlight, the sound of chirping of birds and
fresh air can have a refreshing impact on you.
Don’t Skimp On Sleep
A night of good sleep is required for a good morning. People who
hit the bed early wake up with a calm mind. When you have
enough sleep you get ample time in the morning to do something
that gives you pleasure such as a small walk, taking caring of
yourself or carrying out your hobby.
You will not have to push yourself to start a practical day. This is
how your day can also progress in a positive direction by starting
with content mood and peace of mind. Being late for work or
missing something you wanted to do is a terrible way to start a day.
A positive day needs a to-do list. Whether you have a big
assignment to present or a small gesture of kindness all you need
is to plan it. The things done with the clarity of mind are executed
efficiently. People who run their errands haphazardly often fail to
get the desired outcomes. Your planning helps you to prioritize
the things and prepare you to take on the day.
Another thing to keep you propelled throughout your day is how
you would like to sign off your day. Think of some ways how you
want to treat yourself and to look forward to something enjoyable
will put a smile on your face the entire day. Anticipating something
pleasurable can bring delight as much as the event itself.
Chapter 4: Surround Yourself with
Positive People
Thoughts and attitudes are contagious. The people we surround
ourselves with impact who we become. In an analogy, the dieticians
will say we are what we eat. Similarly, the relationship coach will say
we are who we socialize with. If our social circles are built with
negative people, we will be a negative person. If you surround
yourself with positive people, you will be a positive person.
So, what renders positive the context of the relationship?
Whether it is about friends, colleagues at work or even family,
positive people see light where darkness is obvious and perceive
hope where despair is eminent. An optimistic co-worker will
inspire you when you’re distraught about a failed task. An
affirmative friend or family will say, “It is okay,” instead of giving
you the cold shoulder.
Positive relational contexts are not only about receiving positive
treats from others. They are also about offering positive vibes to
others. You do not expect to put vinegar in a glass and drink
seasoned wine from it. What you give is what you get.
It All Depends On You
If you bump into a person and they hail insults at you, your word
of apology may easily turn to a defense phrase. But if the person
allows you to express your regret, you elicit a kind word of “no
worries.” Positive begets positive. If your attitude towards people
is positive, you create a pleasant company for yourself. Here are
four traits you should cultivate to nurture an environment of
positive people around you.
1. Nurture A Positive You
Nurturing a positive self-image is not just about the ‘feel-good
effect’. It’s also about the impact it has on others.
If you are a positive person, people appreciate you and offer you
their best self. The physics law that ‘opposites attract’ does not
hold here. Positive attracts positive.
2. Give Positive Meaning To Life
One of the many flaws of contemporary society is offering us
lemons when we look for oranges. Go by the counsel, ‘if the world
offer you lemons, make lemonade.’ In whatever context, being
that friend or colleague who communicates the ray of light at the
end of a tunnel will lead others to be equally positive.
3. Give People A Chance
If there is a context where the saying ‘do not judge a book by the
cover’ applies literally, it is in relationships. Sometimes we look at
people and label them, ‘boring,’ ‘antisocial’, or ‘arrogant.’ Once we
interact with them, we discover how unfair we have been.
Sociology tells us ‘we are what we think others think we are.’ If
others perceive a positive evaluation from my part, they’ll
probably offer their best self to me.
4. Offer Others The Best Side Of You
We all have faults, and sometimes the world and its survival
demands bring the worst out of us. Being the boss who
understands that anyone can lag with work once in a while
cultivates the employee who will stay overtime when urgent work
needs to be done. You breathe positive air and it comes back to
you in equal measure. Be positive, and positive will be contagious.
Chapter 5: Find Humor in bad
Situations
Humor is a great way to deal with the stress and it makes you
closer to the people. We do not have control over some things that
happens with us and we start blaming ourselves for the bad things
without realizing that we are getting tougher or how these things
shape our future.
Humor is the thing that makes you feel relax and for some time
you forget about bad happenings. Every comedian had some kind
of dramatic past. They all found humor and became a comedian
because they know that laughter heals every pain and heartache.
Don’t Take Life Too Seriously
It’s good to find humor whenever you start taking life too
seriously. We have just one life and we have to enjoy it whatever
the situations we are in, we must make ourselves free and start
enjoying life. Sometimes death reminds us how to live life and
make the most of every opportunity.
Sometimes we fall for a person who is not good for us and we
know that fall more and more but in the end, our hearts break due
to that person. That time we always curse our luck and are
heartbroken so at that time laughter heals our pain and take us to
live. Our heart becomes stronger and we learn how to move on.
Then we laugh on the nights we cried for stupid things.
We cannot change what has happened but we can make ourselves
more relaxed about those things by finding humor so that we feel
good and can decrease stress. We must forget about the past and
try not to repeat those mistakes.
It Requires Hard Work
It is not easy to find humor in a bad situation. Sometimes a
situation becomes worse for you so at that time always remember
positive things and a good time you spent with your family and
friends. It will help you to build up again and heal your wounds
and you will feel happy that you face troubles and don’t let them
weigh you down.
We must build up the habit of humor. This can be done in different
ways. Firstly, start taking things lightly and do not get stressed on
everything. Secondly, start with the common practice at your
workplace or at home. Lastly, look for the light sides of the problems
and their solutions. These are some main points that will help to
build up humor that will help you when you are stressed.
Humor is both positive and negative. Positive humor helps us to
reduce stress but a negative form of humors such as jokes have a
negative effect. It decreases social support and makes it difficult to
get attached to people and increases the stress level.
No one wants to feel bad or feel sad whenever they recall their past.
When you look back what you want to see is the main question
because no one wants memories of crying or worrying about
things. So instead of crying or being sad make yourself able to
learn the power of humor and find humor at the time of difficulty.
Chapter 6: Focus on The Present
If you want to live happily, then you should stop worrying. Only
focus on your present because you have not any other option or a
single choice.
You should be in the present moment and don’t dwell on any
negative past issues. It will only consume you and will simply
make your future unhappier.
Thinking forward instead of looking back will allow you to free
your mind. You could be bitter about a past relationship or a job
but that isn’t going to help you moving forward.
You can change your future but you can’t change your past. With
that in mind, it doesn’t make any sense to focus on the one that
you can’t change instead of the one that you can.
Renew Your Mind
If you forgot your past, then you will be like a newly born baby
who doesn’t know what is good or what is bad. You will just focus
on your present things and enjoy your life.
So, live in the present just like a newborn baby. Your past may
have been good or bad but don’t think about it and don’t waste
your time. Also, thinking too far ahead of yourself can give you
unrealistic expectations. It can make you forget the steps that you
need to take today and get you down.
Past is history, future is a mystery and today is a gift. That is why
it is called present, so you should enjoy your present. While they
might be clichés, they still ring true.
Focusing on the happy moments and neglecting the failures will
lead to a happy and successful life. Thinking about the past will
not only take your eye off the good things but it will also prevent
you from having a positive future.
Breathe And Focus
The best way to lead a happy life is to stay focused on the target
and forget what happened in the past. Be confident about your
performance because thinking about the expected results will
make you overthink.
You should only be thinking about the past if it relates to learning
from your mistakes. As we have been, you can turn that into a
positive as well to change your future behavior.
You can only control what happens now. Let go of previous pain
and be happy with what you have right now. Many people can
obsess over the ‘perfect’ life but that isn’t the way to be.
Don’t Obsess Over The Future
In can be easy to invest too much time and effort in the future.
Thoughts such as ‘this will make me happy’ can be dangerous as it
shows that you’re not appreciating what you have right now.
Setting targets and goals can be useful but only when done
constructively. You always need some sort of future planning but
always looking ahead can prevent you from being happy right now.
A balance is required to appreciate the present, learn from your
mistakes and plan. Whatever you are doing, always find the
positive aspects of the present.
You don’t need to be rich or have material possessions to be happy.
Find out what makes you happy in the present and work on that.
With that in mind, you’ll have a much more positive mindset.
Chapter 7: Transform Negative
Thoughts into Positive Ones
Have you ever heard of the phrase “your thoughts can kill you?”
Well, this statement is more accurate than most people realize.
Your thoughts, whether negative or positive, can change your life
and the person that you become.
It is for this reason that negative self-talk is so dangerous. What
you tell your mind is what you adopt eventually. It is, however,
essential to acknowledge that transforming your brain to think
positively isn't a walk in the park. It requires full commitment;
otherwise, the negative thoughts will win. So what are the real
ways to change your way of thinking?
Start Forgiving Yourself
Most people, if not everyone, have tried positive affirmations. If
you haven't, then these are words used to develop a positive
mental attitude.
That is when you are told not to think of yourself as a failure and
instead tell yourself, "I am a winner." There is nothing wrong with
this. However, you should aim to acknowledge your shortcomings
and forgive yourself for that.
Forgive yourself for believing that you have failed. Forgive
yourself for embarrassing yourself. Acknowledge those things that
don't make you happy to relieve some tension. Once that happens,
then you may begin working on transforming yourself and your
thoughts into positive ones.
Focus On Taking A Step Rather Than Perfecting
The Level
One of the causes of negative self-talk is thinking of yourself as
inadequate. You focus on what you haven't done well rather than
realizing that you did something. It is not enough to tell yourself
that "I am smart and brilliant." You need to show how smart you
are by taking a step in achieving your goal.
Start believing that you are brilliant and let it show in every little
thing that you do. Forget about making everything perfect since
perfection can be realized amidst several imperfect trials. Learn
from the first step you take, and you will be well on your way.
Take Criticism Positively
Criticism is a part of everyone’s life. It can be from work, family,
and friends, but you shouldn't let it be something negative in your
life. Just because someone criticized your actions, what you said
or did shouldn't mean that you stop believing in yourself.
It means that you should look at yourself and decide whether
there is a way to improve. Avoid going into defense mode since
you will block it out and it will always be at the back of your mind.
Accept corrections, and if the other person is not right, you can
rest with the knowledge that you have done your best.
Stop Looking For Trouble
The final most important way to transform your thoughts into
positive ones is to stop looking for negatives where there are none.
If there is already a negative thought in mind come to terms with
it and deal with it. However, don’t go looking for it. This enables
your brain to adopt positive thinking automatically. You start
feeling safe, and your self-esteem goes up.
The best way to transform negative talk into the positive talk is by
acknowledging what you are feeling as opposed to blocking it.
Stopping shows that you haven't dealt with the problem you've just
put a shield in front of it. When your guard comes down, everything
may crumble. Stop, analyze, understand, then finally transform.
