6 Ways to be Positive in Any Situation
The power of remaining positive, whatever the situation, can never be underestimated. We are all here for a limited period of time, is it worth it to spend any of that time in a dismal mood? Being negative?
The true test of an individual to remain positive is when challenges become difficult. Remaining positive keeps one’s mind in the right state of balance and often opens resolutions to the problems at hand. Negativity is contagious; not only does it affect the individual, but it spreads to anyone they interact with. When only the negative perspective is in focus, the resolution process is impeded.
Eliminating negativity, or rather, being positive is a mindset that can be found at any moment, and turned into a habit. Here are some tips that can help you in shifting your mindset:
- Shift Your Thoughts – Be conscious of your thoughts. Especially, when life just isn’t going your way. The moment you see that you are diving into frustration, agony, sorrow and low self-esteem – shift your thoughts, by thinking about something completely unrelated. This breaks the pattern of self-pity, mind-created stories, and negative downward spiral. What makes us different from other mammals is our ability to control our thoughts and think for ourselves.
- Find the Lesson – There is a lesson to be learned from every situation. No matter how unfortunate the situation may appear, recognize the beautiful lessons waiting to be discovered. Sometimes lessons are expensive, but every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. You may have made a mistake, but now you can accept it and continue, knowing that you will make a different decision in the future. Understand this and be appreciative for the experience.
- Attitude of Gratitude – You cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time. Start counting the blessings and miracles in your life, start looking for them and you shall find more. What’s there not to be grateful? You are alive and breathing! Realize how lucky you are and all the abundance in your life.
- Positive Affirmations & Visualization – Practice seeing yourself in a positive and confident light. Do this whenever you have a few minutes (examples; Waiting for a friend, sitting on the bus, riding an elevator.) Self-affirmations (list of positive statements about yourself and your self image) are another simple and powerful tool to train your subconscious to see yourself in a positive light. This is important, as many of us can be so hard on ourselves though social conditioning. I am guilty of being extra tough on myself, but have learned over time to recognize my gifts rather than finding false and self-imposed inadequacies.
- Inventory of Memories – Keep an inventory of memories that can immediately make you smile. Occasions where you felt happy, appreciative and cheerful. When you were at peace with the world. Whenever you are in a negative frame of mind, consciously and deliberately pick up any leaf out of this inventory and dwell on it. Reminiscing those happy moments gives a balanced perspective to your situation. You realize that what appears negative today will change tomorrow. Nothing stays the same.
- Criticizing Detox Diet – Change your approach and attitude. See if you can stop criticizing others and situations. Our cultural conditioning teaches us to find flaws and problems at all times. Shift from fault-finding to appreciation-finding.
Whether you are positive or negative, the situation does not change. So, we mind as well be positive.
As with any habit, the habit of remaining positive in all situations takes practice and a commitment to yourself to take control. But start small, start paying attention to your emotions, start by wanting to change. I am working on this constantly, and I am here with you, working towards better understanding of my emotions and becoming a better person. Keep going at it, and you will gradually become a positive energy source for the others around you! Wouldn’t that be empowering?
I loved this article! I work with peds/adolescents in mental health. This artcile reminds me of CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). At work we do a lot of teaching about this topic, they call it “ANTS” or automated negative thoughts and for each negative thought there is a ANT species (I know it sounds a little cheesy). We work a lot with the kids and their self-esteem trying to help them replacethere negative thoughts with a more rationalle thought. A lot of the kid’s don’t want to work on this because they don’t think it will help. This article might help:)
I STUDY POSITIVE THINKING AND PRACTICE IT CONSTANTLY! I CAN TRULEY SAY I AM GLOWING WITH HAPPINESS NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENDS! I FEEL LIKE A WHOLE NEW PERSON. NOTHING CAN BRING ME DOWN. AND THE KEY TO LIFE……NEVER LET DOUGHT IN YOUR MIND FOR A SECOND! ONCE YOU HAVE MASTERED THAT. YOUR IN ANOTHER KINGDOM.
actually i cant. I find myself failing everytime. Sometimes I wakeup and i feel the wright of the world on my shoulders. Iwake up and look at things and feel that feelingin my stomach. I dont know what it is. i have been trying to be positivein my life for the past 4 years. Sometimes it works for me. Other times it is useless.
Very good article, Tina.
I particularly like “shift your thoughts”–our perspective defines our experience, so if I am in a ‘angry’ mood, all I see makes me angry (or the way I see makes me more angry).
Also Inventory of Memories…that was very good.
Thanks,
CG
Teee-naaa what a LOVELY little dog you have !
Thank you so much for your wonderfull advises,
I would like to meet you to discuss about those
in much more details… btw are you single ?
Hey Tina –
“Find your lesson” is my favorite technique. As one of my mentors put it, “if this situation were never to change, what’s the one quality you would need to fully enjoy it?” — it’s a recipe for growth.
Great post! I recently have realized that getting exercise makes me so much more positive in every part of my life. It’s crazy how often we don’t do the things that are best for us even though they aren’t that difficult. We live in a culture of distraction. We are constantly distracted from our own wellbeing it seems.
Quite helpful. the ideas are comforting
i am particularly embittered by the action of someone right now, but i feel better when i shifted my focus on some other things. Thanks
I’m working hard on #2 and #3, and find that #5 helps a lot. #6 is hard for me as I find myself critical by nature, but I see the value in making an effort to view things positively.
As a Christian, #2 and #3 remind me to just remember that God is in control, my time is in His hands, and to be thankful no matter what the current situation or circumstance. In the hardest times I remember to just have faith. It is all according to plan, and it’ll work out in the end.
the easiest way to stay positive in negative situations, is to understand what negative situations are as a reflection of yourself, that are there to empower you as an infinite potential being in remembrance. The way to heal any negative situation, is to heal yourself by taking responsibility for it as part of you. If you truly take that responsibility within yourself, then it is your responsibility to help heal all your ‘other’ selves as well.
Thank you for the empowering article! :)
P.S. You have an adorable pet!
this is an awsome article. thank you very much. stay positive.
I think it was a very nice six points that i read and i feel that following it will definitely change ones attitude towards life,to see life more positively. thankyou very much
Thanks for that…really you have it in yourself to be what you want and how to be positive even in the darkest hours…my main positive will be to become more positive and to appreciate everything good in life and deal in a more positive way when i am feeling negative….the past cannot be changed but the future can be made better. Just smile and tell yourself everything will be ok no matter how hard or tough it gets…I have been so negative in the past months and let myself down and others around me….they are only being good and letting me know that they are there and always will be and that i just need to put in the extra effort and dtime to make that a good thing instead of bad….i promise i will smile if things are bad…and i will win back the hearts of people who i have genuinely upset and not understoodand just thought they were trying to upset me and judge who i am…they wasnt they were telling me that we are still here…smile and be happy and go for what you love in life and dont take no for an answer.
YOUR WORDS ARE OF GOD, THANKS
It so useful advices, Do u know Dr. Ibrahim El feky?!, specialist in Human development. He says same words, same meanings, Iam so happy to read that from u, and hear the same from him.
Thank you…
As positive as I am, sometimes I lose control of my thougths and this article today make my day, Thanks a lot, I grateful to you :) Continue to share everything you believe that could help , it is because of people like you that we will become a better world.
Catherine
I hear everyone say be positive, think positive. I do not know how to do it when everything seems to be going wrong. I have no family close by and no close friends. I have been out of work for two years. I am willing to work but no one is giving me a chance to prove I am a good choice to hire. I have no income. No job. Very few calls for interview.
HOW HOW HOW? How do I stay positive?
Great article. Thanks.