Thinking Positively: 5 Powerful Steps

by Sep 25, 2013

A change in thought can lead to a change in life. It’s not always easy to appreciate gratitude towards everything and everyone around us. Thinking positively helps you see the glass as half full rather than half empty.

I would like to present you with 5 powerful steps you can take to living a healthier, positive life. Hopefully after following these steps, you will realize it is easier to be positive than to be negative.

1. Don’t Believe Everything You Think

The problems we have aren’t as great as our mind tells us they are. Observe your thoughts, but don’t identify yourself with them. Negative thinking tricks us into believing that bad things will always be there.

  • “I’ll never get another job!”
  • “I know something will go wrong.”
  • “Nothing ever seems to be working out for me.”

If you realize your thinking biases, you will be able to make an effort to remember that bad events can pass and good ones can come.

2. Stop Playing the Blame Game

It’s easy to fall into the trap of internalizing your misfortunes and externalizing your blessings. “I always ruin everything, but when something good happens, it’s only because I got lucky that time.” This mentality is a recipe for disaster because you will never be able to accept credit when things go well.

3. Smile

Sometime, that is all it takes. Bring yourself in front of a mirror and smile if you have to. It does help to change the mood and relieves stress. You might even feel lighter since it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown.

4. Be Kind

Get into a habit of being kind and forgiving. You will eventually learn to extend the same courtesy to yourself. It’s a lot easier to forgive yourself for mistakes and ultimately cultivate a positive outlook for your future.

5. Set Realistic Goals

Make sure that what you want is realistically possible. Setting high standards will only bring you disappointment. One example might be that you want to lose weight. Set appropriate measurements within a period of time and realistically measure your goals. No one will get slim overnight.

At the end of the day, there is no need to carry any negativity over to the next day. A new day unfolds as new opportunities come. Always keep believing and move forward.

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

Catherine

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500’s to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Catherine’s award-winning book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, was hailed by international leadership-guru, Ken Blanchard, as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” Her latest book is Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley),

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