Positivity 101: The Power of Positive Thought

Our thoughts are immensely powerful and can take us spiraling in many different directions. You have the power to choose how you think, which translates to how you feel, then how you act. Your thoughts can set the tone for your potential to live your life from a positive perspective.

Are you frequently overwhelmed with “what ifs,” or maybe you tend to see what is wrong with a situation instead of what is right? Whatever your circumstances, you will find solid strategies to help reprogram the way you see and interact with the world around you.

 

The Power of Paradigms

Do you think about your mindset during the day? While we sometimes underestimate their power, our mindsets, or paradigms, have tremendous potential to influence the actions we take and the results we see as an outcome.

To see the power of paradigms in action, think about a time in your life when your view on an issue completely changed. What happened to transform your perspective—you experienced a life change or received added information that shifted your thinking? What did you then do as a result?

If we want to change the results we get, we must start by shifting our paradigms. To help you remember to put this idea into practice, keep this image in mind:

 

Carry Your Own Weather

In the Franklin Covey course, Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work, Chief People Officer and author Todd Davis describes a technique for managing our emotions and supporting our outlook on stressful or out-of-our¬-control situations.

The concept “carry your own weather” refers to a person’s ability to separate stimulus from response. This seemingly simple concept is powerful in practice because it enables us to control our response to a situation, even if we can’t control the situation itself.

You can put this into practice right away; instead of immediately responding to a stressful or triggering situation, count to ten, go for a quick walk, or even pause to practice mindfulness before responding.

 

Here are a few additional suggestions:

1. Live in the present moment. We cannot change the past, and we cannot affect future events, so live in the present. Dwelling on the negativity of the past or anxiety of the future may make you miss the beauty of your immediate life.

2. Consciously look for what is good in any situation. Practice each day by writing down Three Good Things. Have gratitude and say it in word and deed! In no time, you will be looking for the good in every situation, and you will find it even if it is a difficult lesson to be learned.

3. Limit the negativity in your life. If you have a negative person in your life, limit your time with them and any sources of negativity. If the news upsets you, shut it off from view.

4. Bring in more positive energy. Whatever brings you joy and happiness, consciously do more of it. Fill your life with the things that fuel your happiness quotient, and you will find a change in your way of thinking.

5. If you catch yourself moving into negativity, shift gears quickly. Return to utilizing these steps to return to a positive, more wholesome, soulful place in your mind.

 

While we can’t control everything in our lives, we can build our resilience and emotional intelligence muscles by practicing these tips to enjoy more moments that feel fulfilling, energizing, and positive.