positivity

There is Power in Positivity: 4 Things To Get You Started

There is great power in positivity. Whenever I ask a client what they want to see more of in their life, they seemed stumped. We are very good at knowing what we don’t want, finding the negative and wanting to dwell on it. It seems to be human nature, the idea that if we can just go over the negative stuff we can find the answer.

The answer really is identifying what brings us joy and spending our day identifying the positive and trying to focus on an abundance of just that. Let’s face it, being positive has never made anyone feel worse!

Learned optimism is something you can teach yourself. A quick Google search shows that on any given day our brain makes about 35,000 decisions. Now imagine if those decisions were focused on the positive. We could choose the decision that brings us more joy, the one that makes us feel happier.

Make a Conscious Choice

Every morning when you get up, set your intention for the day. Is it going to be a good day or are you going to choose stress and negativity? Start by remembering what you are grateful for and that can guide you in setting your intention. It might be that you are grateful for the beautiful fall weather. That might mean that your intention is to enjoy every moment you get to spend in it. Maybe park a bit further from the office or step outside for lunch.

Embrace Positivity

Find out what positivity is all about. Add a few positivity pages to your Facebook likes. This will populate your Facebook feed with good things when you check it. You will start to notice that those negative headlines disappear and are replaced with new ideas and ways to be positive. We like to follow Happify because they share tips and thoughts to help us bring more happiness into our life. Positive Energy + is another great page that is filled with inspiring quotes and positive media stories.

Choose You

One of my favourite blogs is Positively Present. Dani’s tips are simple, honest and very practical. In her article on making positive life choices, she suggests listening to your instinct and doing what is best for you. How often do you do something that doesn’t feel right but you do it anyway? It may not be the best decision for you but it is the easier choice that won’t ruffle any feathers.

Do Something You Have Never Done Before

Make it fun, do something that you wouldn’t normally do. Attend an auction, volunteer at a food bank, go see a car race, have your eyebrows shaped, take a cooking class, speak in front of a large group……the list is endless but it has to be unique to you. If you are one to put everyone before yourself then focus on doing something for you, if you never step outside your comfort zone then take a leap or if you are stuck in a rut and never do anything different then think outside the box. Ask a friend who knows you well for some suggestions and you will be well on your way to a more positive and happier you

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Nothing Negative Can Come from Positive Self Talk

Let’s face it, nothing negative can come from positive self talk. Being kind to ourselves or extending a supportive friendship can only bring good things into our life. All too often I hear people say things like “I should have”, “it was probably my fault”, “I’m just not good at that”, “I need to try harder”. Would you tell a friend that they didn’t try hard enough when their new project didn’t work out? Or would you say “you’re right, you weren’t good enough”, when their marriage breaks down? “I’m not enough” is a negative mantra that can often loop in our our brain and keep playing.

Be your Own BFF

Being your own best friend means that you are just right exactly the way you are, flaws and all. Friends have that way of embracing our quirkiness and seeing through our false bravado in times of need. They give us positive messages about ourselves and make us feel good, happy and appreciated. Enjoy who you are and give yourself some quality time. If you can’t think of things off the top of your head that are great about you then try a little exercise. Ask yourself what you value in a friend? What are some qualities that your favourite people have? Write down the ones that could apply to you. Tell you that you’re funny, authentic and kind, and spend a bit of time hanging out with you. Learn to enjoy your own company and just be with yourself.

Clear space for the positive

Banish those negative thoughts as they no longer serve you. Even amongst the most dire of circumstances there can be found a positive moment. Choose to reach for the alternative to the negative because there is always another option. This idea may take a bit of practice but when that negative thought creeps in, stop, then think about what possible positive thought could be applied to the moment. You can choose to see a huge snowfall as terrible and catastrophic or you can slow down to enjoy the beauty of it, grab a tea and take a bit of extra time to get to work. Practice this step regularly and you will find there is less room in your life for the negative thoughts.

Talk to Yourself

Now this might seem a bit strange but I do it all the time. On more than one occasion I have found myself chattering away saying “you can do this” when faced with difficulty during my day. Tell yourself out loud that “you’ve got this” or “you’re a rockstar”. The more we hear these words the more our brains take them in and they become our truth. Whatever your mantra, practice this. You can talk to yourself in the shower or in the car on the way to work or wherever works for you. Say it loud and be proud about it because you are pretty awesome!

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