It’s not so hard to have a Positive Attitude

In our everyday life, we often catch ourselves with both negative and positive thoughts. It is so easy to point out the things that are not going well and just let negativity take over. But, when negativity becomes a habit, it can have some unpleasant effects on you. When that happens, it’s probably a good time to make an attitude adjustment and adopt a positive mindset.

Listed below are a few suggestions on how to cultivate a more positive attitude:

  1. QUIT complaining. Complaining is a very negative response to any situation. It drains you of energy and it just makes you UGLY! Tell me, do you want to be ugly? I don’t think so. If you catch yourself complaining – STOP.
  2. Express gratitude every day – even for small things. There is always something to be grateful for. Even if you complain about dirty dishes all the time – it just means – you are eating something (hence the dirty dishes) – so quit complaining and instead be grateful that you are able to eat something. If you get into this habit, eventually you will become grateful for everything.
  3. Keep a list of things you have accomplished. Sometimes, you do not realize how much you have accomplished until you list them down.
  4. Let go of the people around you who are negative, critical, and abusive of you. They drain your energy. Instead, surround yourself with supportive, positive people.
  5. Let go of envy. Envy is a very negative emotion. It eats at you, pointing to the faults we see in ourselves.
  6. Choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice. When a negative thought enters your mind, push it out quickly. Substitute a happy thought.
  7. Be kind and smile at others.
  8. Have faith in yourself. Believe the Universe will help you.

Cultivating a positive outlook takes conscious thought. Be mindful of your thoughts and the attitudes of those around you. When you are mindful of the negative thoughts around you, you’ll be able to counteract them more quickly.

A little positivity can go a long way

I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately – life had thrown me a curve ball. I recognize that it is just a situation – a temporary uncomfortable situation but I still let it bother me. It’s normal – people get bummed because things don’t turn out the way they expect it to BUT I believe that it is up to us to turn things around. It’s all about perspective. Just a matter of looking at the positive side of things instead of the “not so positive”.

A positive attitude is one of the stepping-stones to a happier life. Everyone has a negative thought occasionally but the good news is that you may be able to counteract it with a positive thought. When negative thoughts fill your mind, it may be time to change your mindset. Here are a couple of tips that can help you out with that.

Become aware of your thoughts.

The trick is to take control of your thinking. Get into the habit of asking yourself, “What am I thinking right now?” Learn to recognize your negative thinking patterns and replace them with realistic, positive alternatives.

When a negative thought enters your mind, immediately replace it with a positive thought.

Negative thought: “I can’t believe that jerk cut in front of me!

Positive thought change: “I’m not rushed and in a hurry like that guy. He must be extremely stressed.”

Negative thought: “I can’t believe the poor service at this restaurant today!”

Positive thought change: “The waitress must be having a bad day because the service is usually great here.”

Do things you love.

If you are not sure what it is that you love – try different activities (running, dancing, singing, painting, etc.) until you find something you enjoy doing.

Do at least one thing every day that you enjoy doing. This makes a big difference because it makes you look forward to each day.

Yes, everyone has a negative thought occasionally. The trick is to recognize it and replace it with a positive thought so you don’t dwell on the negative. Dwelling on the negative does not change anything – LIFE goes on (whether you are feeling great or less than great). Time does not stop just because you are having a bad day – there are better things to do than sulk.

Life is too short not to notice the simple things that make us happy

Have you ever made plans because you believe that the fruition of these plans will somehow bring happiness into your life? Sometimes, we get too concerned with our plans to achieve what we think is “happiness”. We forget that there are other things that can make us happy and make us feel complete. Have you ever stopped to even think about the simple pleasures in life and how we can count on these simple pleasures to give us continuous joy. When we appreciate and enjoy the simple things, the gratitude we feel will extend to other areas as well. Life is too short not to realize the simple things that can bring us joy. Here are some of the simple pleasures that are worth making an effort to experience often.

Giving and Receiving Smiles

What a better way to experience a simple pleasure for free? Give smiles not only to your friends, but also to random strangers you pass on the street. You will be amazed at how good it feels to see first the surprise of others, and then their own smile in return. Sometimes too, I notice that smiling while doing an activity that is not your particular favorite – makes that activity easier to do. A smile is the nicest curve in your body – so flaunt it!!!

The Endorphin Rush after Working Out

When you work out in a strenuous manner, you will get an endorphin rush as a reward. These natural, feel-good chemicals are sure to brighten your day. Work out in the morning in order to use this endorphin rush to help you be especially productive throughout the rest of your day. If you do not like working out alone, join a group workout. Most importantly, find a workout you enjoy. That way, it doesn’t feel much like a workout but just a FUN activity!

Enjoying Your Favorite Food

Even if your favorite food is not especially healthy, allow yourself to have it every now and then. The feeling of your much-loved food will bring you a little boost of pleasure. Studies have shown that if you refrain from a particular food for a certain time, it will be even more enjoyable the next time you try it, so use this trick to make your favorite meal taste even better than usual. Just remember to eat in moderation – watch your portions!

Laughing until It Hurts

Laughter is like medicine. Everyone should have an opportunity to laugh until it hurts at least once a day. Whether it is with a friend who could write comedy, or watching a good movie, take some time to laugh away your stress.

Expensive fun is great, but can be hard to come by. Having big plans is a good thing especially if there are rewards attached to them. Instead of feeling sad about your plans slowing you down, indulge in one of the simple pleasures mentioned above. By learning to appreciate the little things right next to you, you will find great fulfillment each and every day. This can help you go through life with more hope to continue to push thru to achieve your plans. Happiness can happen everyday (even in small ways) until you achieve your great plan which will ultimately bring your greater joy and fulfillment.

Don’t drop the ball

In today”s world, most people use being busy as an excuse for anything and everything. Yes, I get it – we are all busy. However, people’s lives are interconnected – somehow. If I come to you for something and that something requires an action on your end – your action – affects my life – and the life of people around me. I understand that our priorities are different. What you think may not be SO important can mean so much to another. Maybe you think, my need is not that urgent and you decide to bump me down your list – that one action affects me – and even if you don’t want it to – it will affect you too! Why? … because I will bug the hell out of you until it get’s done. If the action required takes time – I will understand – I will wait. But please be considerate. Put yourself in my situation and think about what would be acceptable to you.

Never think that it is alright to promise something that you were not intending to follow through – just because you want to end the conversation already. Please don’t wait to be called out on your action of “dropping the ball”. That will just be embarrasing – not only for you but for me too. Believe me – you wouldn’t want to waste your time on that ONE SILLY CHOICE of dropping the ball. If the action required doesn’t cost you your life – then just do it. Even if you do not feel like it. We are all adults and often times we all do things even if we don’t like to do it – because we just have to – maybe because it’s our job to do it. If you do it though – don’t do it half-assed. Make sure you do it RIGHT the first time so you do not have to deal with it again. Cross all your T’s and dot all your I’s. If you tackle it carelessly just to get me out of your hair – then expect to be annoyed – BIG TIME.

If there’s anything you need to remember, it’s these:

If it’s part of your job, do it!
If it won’t kill you – do it!
If you do not like doing – FIND ANOTHER JOB.
If you do not want to deal with it again, DO it RIGHT the first time.
If you do not understand what needs to be done – ASK!
If you make a mistake – correct it and learn to apologize.
Think about how your action can affect yourself and others … How will your “procrastination and carelessness” affect everyone involved?