Be positive’ is what we hear all the time, especially when we’re going through a tough phase in life. The emphasis on ‘being positive’ is such that we feel afraid if we catch ourselves lingering in any other mindset.
Afraid to the point that we even prefer to reject our reality.
But do we even understand the true meaning of being positive?
Does it mean pushing away our own reality? Or pretending that everything is fine under the guise of positivity when, in actuality, it isn’t?
Let’s get into its depth and find what it means to remain positive in our approach.
Before we proceed further, give yourself a moment to analyze how positive you think you are in general and in times when having a face-off with difficult situations in life.
What is Positive Thinking?
Positive thinking is when we fully accept our reality (even if it isn’t pleasant) and then try to navigate to the best possible scenario using our best judgment.
It doesn’t mean denying our truth or turning a blind eye to the situation we are in. Positive thinking rests on the idea that we must first fully accept our truth and current circumstances and then work to turn them in the direction we desire.
Let’s try to understand it with the help of an example.
Suppose you have to take a math test at school. The reality is that you are underprepared and don’t have much time left to complete the syllabus. What does remaining positive in this scenario look like?
Does it mean convincing yourself with a false affirmation that you will top the class?
Actually, no! Because the underlying thought and belief attached to this affirmation is your fear of failing.
Remaining positive in this situation would mean utilizing the time to study as effectively as possible and aiming to score as high as you can.
Ways to Cultivate a Positive Mindset
It is normal to fear negative outcomes when stuck in a difficult situation. Cultivating a positive mindset is about holding your mind’s horses (when it’s telecasting the series of negative outcomes) and focusing on doing the best you can in that given moment. It’s about limiting negative thoughts and redirecting them toward positive actions—giving your best effort.
#1: Indulge in Positive Self-Talk
Whether you pay attention to it or not, we always have a conversation running through our minds. In every situation and circumstance, our minds have their own opinions and preferences. When we talk about having positive self-talk, it means being on your own side no matter what.
We often slip into negative self-talk without even realizing it. This can happen when we criticize, ridicule, or berate ourselves for certain actions. But that’s not how we support ourselves. We must ensure that we engage in positive self-talk and try to understand the perspective of actions that didn’t turn out as expected.
#2: Redirect Your Negative Thoughts and Emotions
Whenever you catch negative thoughts running in your mind, do not push them away. Be a little observant towards them, and then try to reflect upon them. Are they emerging from a fearful mindset? If so, try to accept it and then flip to the other side. Adopting a dominating mindset and snubbing your own voice (even if it doesn’t sound positive) will only backfire.
🎭 Activity:
Whenever you find yourself in the middle of a tough situation, be mindful of your thoughts and try to embrace the weak and feeble thoughts. Instead of rejecting them at once, replace them with better ones without fearing the outcome of the situation. Follow this process, and see how tension wades away, and you feel ready to face the challenge or difficulty.
#3: Make Laughter a Way of Life
You might be underestimating the power of laughter for now, but here’s a study that states otherwise.
According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, etc.). It is further linked to an increase in endorphin levels.
Laughter is what makes our lives light and fluffy. Incorporate laughter into your life, and you’ll find that dense energy fading away from your life. Try to laugh as much as you can, and you’ll automatically align yourself with positivity. The simple step to take in this direction is to surround yourself with ‘happy’ and positive people.
🎭 Activity:
You are having a stressful day at the office. In the middle of chaos and tension, you slipped your phone out of your pocket and took a moment to watch a funny reel.
#4: Work on Your Limiting Beliefs
We all have limiting beliefs. The real challenge is to navigate through them. This is where we need to remain mindful of the voices playing in our heads. When we blindly believe in everything that we hear from within, we keep ourselves locked in a closed loop. Let’s try to understand it with the help of an example.
Suppose you had a negative ‘stage’ experience in your childhood. From there onwards, you developed ‘stage fear’ and now avoid going on stage at every cost. Despite this fear lingering within you, you still hold a desire to be a stage performer someday.
How do you think you should respond to this voice in your head? Should you believe it and never go against it? Or should you outright reject it because it’s becoming a limitation in your way of becoming a ‘stage star’?
The solution lies in following a balanced approach and doing neither. Do not attempt to bulldoze your inner voice, but instead, recognize it as a limitation in the current scenario. Try to overcome it by replacing it with a brand new belief and experience.
#5: Practice Gratitude
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who practice gratitude experience greater happiness and reduced levels of stress.
When we practice gratitude, we are raising your frequency. We often mistake gratitude for looking at the other of our needs and desires (which actually isn’t the case). Practicing gratitude is about being contented and thankful for all that you have and yet working earnestly towards the objects, people, and accomplishments that you desire in life.
If you are new to this and don’t know how to proceed, try working with a gratitude journal. It’ll help you shift your focus from lack to abundance, and you’ll see how natural and effortless it becomes for you to switch to a positive mindset.
SHOP ON AMAZON#6: Step into Mindfulness
Being positive or stepping into a positive mindset isn’t about giving yourself a few mental instructions and expecting it to be done. It’s about practicing a lifestyle where you are raising your awareness with every action you take. Whether you consume your daily meals, go for a nature walk, wash the dishes, or listen to your favorite playlist, performing every activity with complete concentration and devotion is how you’ll uncover the secrets of being mindful and get mental clarity.
Once you get the mental clarity, it will be much easier for you to move through the difficult situations and switch to a positive mindset.
👉 Pro Tip:
Start your day with a simple meditation and breathing exercise, trying to be as observant as possible. Once you get a hold of the physical and mental state you achieve while doing the breathing exercises and meditation, it won’t be a big deal to switch to it in times of panic and chaos.
#7: Adopt Giving Nature
According to research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, people who engage in acts of kindness experience a significant boost in their happiness levels.
When you engage yourself in acts of giving, you are shifting your focus from yourself to others. It helps you boost your feelings of gratitude and find a deep sense of purpose. It is a powerful tool to divert away negative feelings like resentment, envy, and bitterness and make an instant shift to a higher frequency. You can choose an act of giving and observe how it makes you feel. It could be as simple as holding a door for someone or giving someone a compliment to lift their mood.
Quick Question: Have you ever experienced a sudden change of mood from a negative emotion to a positive one when you consciously Choose to help someone in need?
Final Thoughts
When you embark on the journey of cultivating a positive mindset, try to be patient and compassionate with yourself. Remember, it’s a lifelong journey, and with proper tools and practice, you’ll be able to achieve significant success in life—showing up in the material aspects of life. Include the practices of adding more laughter, indulging in positive self-talk, practicing gratitude, and stepping into mindfulness, and it will return to you in the form of miracles—changing your life for good.
Sources
- Martin E. P. Seligman – University of Pennsylvania, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Claremont Graduate University: Positive Psychology
- KENNON M. SHELDON – University of Missouri-Columbia, USA, & SONJA LYUBOMIRSKY – University of California, Riverside, USA: The Journal of Positive Psychology
- John D.Kelly IV, MD: Resiliency and Medicine: How to Create a Positive Energy Balance
What does true positive thinking entail according to the article on cultivating a positive mindset?
