I was first introduced to the whole “positive thinking, positive attitude” idea when a friend of mine gave me a copy of “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne.

Being positive per “The Secret” is not just some “hokey new age” concept.

Yes, one of the concepts is that if you visualize something, it will happen. Seems far fetched, but think about it this way: how you FEEL, influences how you ACT.

Think about you you ACT and interact with others when you have negative thoughts about yourself and them and the interaction about to take place. Would the interaction turn out well?

BUT- if you think positive thoughts like “I am confident, knowledgeable, awesome and they absolutely adore me, and we will be able to find a positive solution -or have a wonderfully positive interaction”…how do you expect you’ll ACT?

How you think influences how you act, and therefore influences how others act around you.

Sometimes, we need help reminding ourselves to get into the positive mindset. Here are 12 ways to get into a positive mindset:

1. FIRST STEP: Recognize when you are having negative thoughts: if you are in a bad mood, complaining, or worrying excessively, you are most likely being negative. STOP!
2. Stop comparing yourself to those more fortunate than you and remember to consider all those less fortunate than you: There are always people who are less fortunate than yourself, usually way more than the number of people more fortunate; think of entire third world nations full of people, people in worse health, without eyesight, etc.
3. Be GRATEFUL for all that you have in comparison to those less fortunate than yourself: Focusing on all the things that you have to be grateful for helps change your thought process.  Think of at least 10 things to be grateful for: your health, a roof over your head, family, friends….sometimes doing step 2 first really helps, with this!
4. Think about and focus on what you want, not what you don’t want
5. Use positive self talk, imagining what you want. You are what you think.
6. PRETEND things are going your way (fake it until you make it, or become it)
7. Focus on SOLUTIONS to the problem, not the problem itself
8. Exercise, especially out in nature: exercise increases endorphins. It always puts me in a better mood.
9. Meditate to clear your mind.
10. Switch gears to think about happy thoughts– things, people, or places that you love
11. Find the silver lining: There is ALWAYS good in everything, focus on finding it.
12. TURN a bad thing into something positive: Become a better person from it. Example: you hate your job? Find a new job, find your passion, be the person you were meant to be.
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