Since you can control your attitude, then positive thinking is also a choice. You actively choose an optimistic mindset and positivity instead of being pessimistic and attracting negativity. You can see the good in people or situations or focus on the bad. The power of choice is in your hands.
When you focus on optimism, your choices and attitudes are more geared toward logic than emotions. You’ll tend to think more with your head than your heart. Of course, optimism isn’t emotionally void because positive energy is abundant with joy, satisfaction, and peace.
Trying to maintain a positive attitude doesn’t mean you stick your head in the sand and are oblivious to adverse situations. You’re aware of the problems, but you don’t use them to define your being. Optimists work to find solutions and refuse to drown in misery and negativity.
Assume you’ve been laid off from your job. Of course, you’d be upset and wonder what you will do. Getting laid off is a negative situation that is beyond your control. Here’s how your power of choice comes into play.
You can decide to be laid off and be positive or laid off and be miserable. The situation doesn’t change, but you have control over your attitude toward it. You can see this problem with positivity as an opportunity to land an even better job.
You feel confident in your experience and abilities. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you make inquiries and submit applications for a new job expecting positive results.
Twelve Ways to Improve Your Positive Thinking Abilities
Positive thinking is a choice because you can improve your ability with practice. So, this practice must become a daily habit if you want to have more positive energy. A study published by the University College of London suggests that people may take 18 to 254 days to develop a new habit.
You’ll be happy to know that you don’t need a fairy godmother to wave a wand and grant you positivity. It’s a mindset that you can choose and improve as you go. Here are twelve optimistic mindset habits to consider.
1. Maintain an Optimistic Mindset
Remember the old song about accentuating positivity and eliminating negativity? It works when you put forth the effort. Isn’t it ironic how something can be 99% positive, and humans get hung up on the 1% negative aspect? According to a study published by Psychology Bulletin, this common mental phenomenon is called negativity bias.
Concentrating on the positive things in your life won’t make all the negative ones disappear. However, using positive thinking will lift your spirits. Plus, you may have more determination and clarity to find solutions to your problems.
2. Use Visualization to Increase Positive Thinking
If you know how to daydream, then you already know about visualization. Choosing positive thinking helps you visualize your goals and bring them into reality. Think of it as your inner GPS that maps the journey toward your destiny.
Let’s say you’ve always wanted to be a teacher. You visualize yourself in the classroom, sharing your knowledge and experience with the next generation. Keep this in mind as you complete college, earn your certificate, and begin working in a classroom.
3. Be More Solution-Oriented
Let’s face it, everybody has problems, regardless of who you are or what you have in this life. Getting caught up in your problems is easy, and soon you’ll be wallowing in despair. Positive thinking encourages you to go beyond your challenges and work to find solutions.
Where would the world be if every inventor, entrepreneur, and leader in history couldn’t get beyond their challenges? These great men and women chose to face their problems and find a solution. You can do the same thing when viewing problems as an opportunity to grow and succeed.
4. Try to Be Patient for More Positive Thinking
We live in a world that demands instant gratification, such as fast food, drive-throughs, and instant credit. You have a whole list of aspirations on your dream board that you want right now. Remember that good things come to those who wait, so be patient and go one step at a time.
5. Don’t Give Up
Negativity whispers that you’ll never achieve your goals, so you might as well give up. You’re not attractive enough, intelligent enough, rich enough, etc. According to the law of attraction, speaking such negativity into the universe will only bring negative results.
When you adopt positive thinking, you realize you’ll have occasional failures. But instead of throwing in the towel, you use those setbacks as learning tools. You refuse to listen to pessimist conversations and don’t give up on your dreams.
6. Practice Optimistic Self-Talk
As you developed language skills during childhood, you became aware of the little voice in your head. It becomes a life-long conversation and forms your perception of yourself and your world. How would you feel if someone talked to you like you talked to yourself?
Choosing to be an optimist changes your self-talk and uses positive verbs. With practice, “can’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, never, and won’t” turn to “can, should, could, always, and will.” You learn to face your challenges by being your own best cheerleader.
7. Add a Dose of Humor
The Ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus remarked that those who can laugh at themselves will always be amused. Sometimes, we all take ourselves too seriously. Adding a dose of humor to your life brings joy and laughter to you and those around you.
Try to find something every day that makes you smile or laugh. You could enjoy watching a comedy or spending time with one of your favorite witty people. Also, bringing humor to other folk’s lives can bring positivity to their day.
8. Surround Yourself People Who Exude Positivity
One of the best ways to cultivate a positive mindset and a brighter attitude is by surrounding yourself with like-minded folks. Notice how you feel when you’re around optimistic people. Their positive energy brushes off on you, and you soon develop their “can-do” language and spirit.
9. Avoid Negative People to Improve Your Positivity
Conversely, how do you feel when you’re around pessimistic people? No matter how positive you try to be, they rebut your statements with their chronic negativity. You’re trying to be the upbeat Winnie-the-Pooh, and they are raining on your picnic as the poor gloomy donkey, Eeyore.
Honestly, you can’t nix every pessimist from your life. There will always be someone in your circle of family, friends, and coworkers with bitter and negative attitudes. However, you can choose to be positive and minimize their presence and influence on your energy.
10. Practice Gratitude Every Day to Increase Positive Thinking
Being grateful is a choice that accompanies a positive mindset. Instead of fretting about life’s problems and frustrations, you focus on your blessings. As a wise person asked, what if you only had the things tomorrow for which you were grateful today?
Consider keeping a gratitude journal or making it a section of your daily writings. As you reflect on your blessings, your heart swells with thankfulness. Counting your blessings gives you a brighter outlook and encourages you to be more content.
11. Try to Be Present
Depression is often the result of lingering in the past. You may ruminate about past mistakes, broken promises, toxic relationships, and many regrets. When you fuss and worry about future problems, it only creates anxiety and negative energy.
Many religions and philosophies praise the empowerment of being present or mindful living. Not only does it boost your positive thinking, but it can strengthen your personal and professional relationships. You’re not stuck in the past or worried about the future, so you don’t fret about missing out.
12. Learn How to Relax
Choosing an attitude of optimism alone won’t get you where you want to be. It also takes determination and a lot of hard work. As you celebrate each small goal, you feel encouraged to continue the path to your bigger aspirations.
The good news is that success and satisfaction don’t mean all you do is work. In the twilight of their lives, nobody ever says they wish they’d spent more time in the office. You realize that the true meaning of your life is how you live it and your relationship with others.
So, learning to relax and have fun is vital to a positive mindset. Meditation is a great way to practice breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation. Also, you can benefit your body, mind, and spirit by playing your favorite sport or enjoying a fascinating hobby.
Final Thoughts About How to Choose Positive Thinking
While time and chance are always a consideration, you remain the author of your life’s book. You can’t always change circumstances, but your attitude is your choice. When you choose positive thinking, your outlook is brighter, and you feel empowered to choose positivity.
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