Positive thinking is not a new concept and you probably encountered it here and there on more than one occasion. Although it may seem like something that is easier said than done, the effects of it are very real. Therefore, here are some simple ways to train your brain to achieve a positive mindset and change your life for the better.
1. Cherish good things
It’s in human nature to remember bad things longer and that is a heavy burden to carry that overpowers us over time. Instead, try focusing on good things in your life no matter how small they are. Some stressful situations are not as big a deal as we believe, like being stuck in traffic or waiting in a long line to buy tickets.
All those moments you can overturn to your advantage by listening to music, reading a book or use that time to call a friend and catch up. Every situation can be viewed from several perspectives, so it’s important to find the one that leaves a positive impression on you.
2. Say bye-bye to negative self-talk
Negative self-talk is something that sneaks up on us. There is no insignificant negative self-talk since soon enough any form of it can turn into a self-doubt and create your opinion about yourself. The moment you notice that you are telling yourself that you are bad at something – stop and tell yourself something positive instead.
For example, instead of telling yourself that you are bad at something, decide to practice more. This will silence the negative voice and keep you moving forward.
3. Learn from failure
Nobody’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Even so, we tend to hang from our failures like they define who we are when we should actually own them and perceive them as life’s lessons. Learning from personal mistakes is not only a good practice but is also mentally beneficial.
If you are able to observe your mistakes and think about ways not to repeat them, you are on a good way to achieve a positive mindset. Consider failure as the way to improve yourself and not as who you are.
4. Get a dog
Every time a dog sees you, they’re truly happy about it and want to express their love. Just seeing their tails wiggling is enough to make you feel warm around the heart. Having a dog is one of the proven ways to adhere to positive thinking about yourself and the world around you.
“When we see, touch, hear or talk to our companion animals, beneficial neurohormones are released and that induces a sense of goodwill, joy, nurturing and happiness,” says Rebecca A. Johnson, Ph.D., director of the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help
Depression and anxiety are widely spread today. Those are only some of the modern psychological conditions that people experience at some point in their life. However, addressing this issue is quite a step for many.
Asking for help takes a lot of courage from a person, so contacting a good psychologist from Sydney, or any other place in the world is hard, but trained professionals are there to talk you through and teach you techniques to deal with your problems in a rational way. Talking to friends has its benefits, but we are often uncomfortable talking truthfully to them because we are afraid of judgments and disappointing them.
6. Live in the present
We are often prisoners of the past, thinking over and over what we said, did or allowed to be done to us. That only creates a vicious circle of negative thought that we can’t escape and so we are cemented in the past. Instead, focus on the present and what you can do now.
Obsessing too much over the past will only make you see a gloomy future. So, stay in the present and leave memories in the past where they belong to.
In the end
Don’t hide away from your mistakes and embrace who you are by being ready to change the things that make you unhappy and dissatisfied. The first step is the hardest, but after it comes the second, then the third and soon enough you will walk a mile in your shoes and feel great about it.