Over the past few years, I have been practicing positivity in my life to the fullest. And, I truly think the power of positive thinking has changed my life for the better.
Everyone feels negative or sad occasionally no matter how great life can be. Those bad or sad times can completely take over a person’s life and negatively impact them, too. It may make you feel like everything is impossible, that everyone hates you, that you should give up, and more.
My life isn’t perfect, and I understand that no one else’s life is perfect either. Everyone has something that may make them sad, angry, helpless, or scared, and I understand how in some circumstances it can be quite difficult to see the power of positive thinking.
However, no matter how bad life may seem, I believe that having a positive outlook on everything can truly help a person persevere through tough times.
The power of positive thinking may help you:
- Find another option or route
- Feel motivated, so that you can keep on pushing
- Move on from your past mistakes
- Convince yourself that you can improve your situation (career, financial, family, etc.)
- Reach for your goals
- Be happier
I try to remind myself that being negative is just a WASTE OF TIME. Being negative can waste your time in that you dwell on the little things, you don’t look for the good in things, you live in regret, you think about things you shouldn’t be thinking about, and more.
You will be much happier and more successful if you forget the negative and stick to the positive.
Being more positive will potentially improve your financial situation, career situation, life, and everything else.
Here are my tips so you can begin practicing positivity in your life and learn about the power of positive thinking:
Smile more
Smiling is contagious! Studies have even proven that smiling can improve your mood. Even if you have to force a smile, just do it.
Smile at the next person you pass, smile when you’re talking on the phone, smile when your loved one comes home, and more.
Spend less time dwelling on the negative
Negative thoughts can sometimes completely take over a person. You may think about something negative for days, weeks, or even longer, whereas positive events usually aren’t thought about as long or enough.
Next time you find yourself thinking in a negative way, you should stop and think about whether or not spending your time thinking that way will actually help. I’m going to guess it won’t help you at all, so stop!
Instead, think about the positive, and go on with your life.
Be thankful for what you have
Next time you are down in the dumps about something negative in your life, I suggest you try to remember all of the positive and good in your life. This is the power of positive thinking at its best.
You may be thankful for your family, friends, job, a past experience, opportunities, and more.
Thinking about everything you are thankful for can make something negative seem very trivial. You may even laugh at yourself for being so negative!
Find something good in a bad experience
There may even be some good in a bad experience, even though it can be hard to think about the positive while you are experiencing something negative.
Through the power of positive thinking you can use a bad experience to learn something new about yourself, to realize you made a mistake, to come up with a new plan you never thought of before, and more.
Taking the negative and turning it into a learning experience can help prevent a negative situation from happening again. Or, maybe next time you’ll be more prepared!
Spend more time with positive people
There are negative and positive people out there. Negative people tend to attract other negative people, and positive people tend to attract other positive people.
I’m not saying you should completely exclude everyone who is negative in your life, but you do have the option to find more positive people to surround yourself with.
You may want to think about how a person that makes you feel horrible, negative, or unwanted fits into your life and whether or not you should change this.
Help others see the positive
You can become happier by making other people happy. While that may sound weird and possibly even a little selfish, if everyone is a little happier from it, then why not? The power of positive thinking should be spread to as many people as possible!
Give someone a compliment, send out cards to those you love, hold the door open for someone, say hello to everyone, and more!
Related: 58 Random Acts Of Kindness
Be optimistic
This is one of the positive thinking exercises you must do, no matter what. No matter how bad things are you should try to think about the positive things going on in your life. Think about how you can improve your life and how you are in charge.
Do you practice positivity in your life? What do you think of the power of positive thinking?
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Great post, I’ve been way to negative in the past and it has stopped me to do many things. Recently I’ve been starting to make a conscious effort to be happy and less stressed! It really makes such as difference! I’m a lot more optimistic and relaxed. Especially reminding yourself what you are thankful for really puts things into perspective!
Thank you!
Positive thinking is so important. I try to remember that even if things seem really difficult, a negative attitude isn’t going to make it better, but a positive attitude might. I’m naturally a positive thinker, but when life gets tough I have to make an effort to stay positive. It really helps to remember all of the things in life that are good and that you are thankful for, even if it’s just little stuff.
Yes! A negative attitude will never help.
You’re absolutely correct, Michelle. Thanks for the good advice!
Mindset is everything – I actually blogged about how I’m choosing to alter my mindset today 🙂 One of the most effective ways I’ve found to be a positive person is to actually tell people that I’m a positive person. It’s amazing what we do to live up to others expectations of us! The accountability piece is really powerful for me.
Yes, definitely!
I love this post! You’re right – negativity really is a waste of time. If you want to get things done, it’s best to stay positive and push through. I don’t really have time for negativity in my life!
Yes, same here!
I’ve been trying to do this for the past couple years as well. One big one that works is to just smile a lot when talking to people. They respond so much better! I also try not to dwell on things I can’t control because that is just stressful.
Great job 🙂
Such a great piece, Michelle! Over the years, I’ve found myself sort of “weeding” out the people I surround myself with to make sure that there isn’t room for negativity. It’s amazing how much one person’s attitude can impact your own and how easily influenced we are by other acquaintances, friends, and family members. In the words of Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” and there’s no time for negativity!
I made profound changes in my life by realizing one thing: we have a choice. We have a choice on how we spend our time and our money. And we can choose whether to be happy and thankful, or depressed and hopeless. Positive thinking is everything.
Awesome!
You’re right, Michelle, that no one is exempt from times of depression, negativity or sadness. Over the years I’ve focused on being grateful. I try to overlay what I’m grateful for to balance my thinking in bad times. It usually works.
More recently, I lost my mother. She had terminal lung cancer but I didn’t expect her to pass when she did. Immediately before the heart attack that took her life, we were annoyed at each other. That haunted me for months. It eclipsed all other thoughts in my mind. It overshadowed all the beautiful and loving moments we shared.
It wasn’t until I realized that if either of us had known she would leave moments later, neither of us would have let the last moments be what they were. We would have reminded the other how much we loved them. That has helped me get over the strangle hold that moment had on my life.
I’m grateful for you, Michelle. I’ve been following your blog and life for several years now and I’m always inspired and impressed with you. Thank you for being brave and putting yourself out there!
Love your comment Ree. I know exactly where you’re coming from, as my father passed away from lung and brain cancer, and sometimes I think about the rotten things I did in the past. It’s not good to think that way!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Michelle. I imagine your “rotten things” were really just normal kid things and he most likely did those same things as the child of his own parents. I’m sure he’s looking over you and feeling a huge sense of pride for the person you’ve become 🙂
Haha yes. I was a REALLY good kid, but there are always those moments when you look back and you have a little regret. Mine probably aren’t anywhere near as bad as most kids, though. haha!
Thanks, Charlotte 🙂 Being positive definitely helps.
Excellent post. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t think positive. I have friends and family that don’t always practice positive thinking. It sucks, but I can only hope they change their mindsets.
Yes, same here!
I have found that when I think positively, more positive things happen to me. What you put into the universe is what you get back. Great post!
Yes, exactly!
Too funny that my post today is about the power of positive thinking, too. Glad to hear that it’s worked for you – here’s hoping that I’ll be able to say the same one day soon 🙂
Hope so 🙂
Thanks for sharing these tips! I find that keeping a daily gratitude journal helps me remember the positive things in my life. I just wrote a post regarding a major life change that I made to overcome negative feelings with the direction I was headed with my life. I firmly believe that if something is making you unhappy then it’s time to change something. Life is too short, we are only promised today so make the most of it.
Yes, exactly!
Love this, Michelle! I am really working on staying positive and focused on gratitude. It truly does make a difference. I allow myself to feel whatever I feel, because repressing emotions isn’t good either, but I don’t let myself dwell in the negative emotions either. It’s not always easy to get unstuck, but it’s worth the effort to find the positive and move forward. And a big hearty yes to surrounding yourself with positive people. It’s amazing how the negativity of those around you can affect you and your outlook. When I’m in a “mood”, I’m extra sensitive about who I spend time with and even what kinds of shows I watch. Great post!
Thank you!
Another great post Michelle! I especially think that who you are around plays a major role. You hit the nail on the head. If you’re around people who are positive you will be more positive. And the same is true for negativity.
Great job!
Yes, definitely!