Focusing the mind on the positive

How to focus your mindset on the positive

It is inevitable that eventually you will go through tough times in life, that’s just life; it can’t always be a bed of roses. However life is what you make it and by staying positive through the bad times as well as the good can make all the difference and gets you through the tough times with a smile or at least the mindset of knowing "this too will pass"

But the big question is “how do you stay positive when things get tough?” Staying upbeat at times like this is the last thing on your mind, but it should be the first, you need to think positively now more than ever. As with everything in life it is a choice, and it really is as simple as that for you, just choose to remain positive despite what is going on rather than wait for everything to be great and then be positive.

The key to staying positive is to take your mind off your problems and worries and re-energizing your mind, this is especially true when you are having a bad day and you feel sorry for yourself and want to sit down and cry.

Here are twelve excellent tips for keeping a positive outlook in life no matter what’s going around you.

1. If you find yourself around those who are negative then break free from them, negativity has a way of passing from person to person and they will drag you down with them.
2. Don’t sit in front of the TV for hours at a time, the news is depressing, cop shops feature violence and death and negativity in some form is found on almost every show. If you do watch TV go for the more positive program such as a nature documentary showing the wonderful world in all its glory, or watch a comedy that will make you laugh. Even better control your TV by putting on a dvd and choosing what you will watch,.
3. Spend as much time as you can with your family and loved ones, do something together which you all enjoy and aim to have a family night at least once a week where you can spend quality time together.
4. In times when you are feeling particularly low and negativity starts to creep in, listen to a motivational CD or repeat positive affirmations to yourself to bring back a positive attitude.
5. Take time out each day to just do something that you enjoy because doing that doesn’t require you to make choices or decisions, something which relaxes you to the fullest.
6. Try doing something that you wouldn’t normally do, something that is totally unlike you and out of character, take up a new hobby or sport that you would never have dreamed of doing.
7. Get some exercise, this could be something as simple as taking a walk in the fresh air and is totally free or go to the gym or taking part in activities such as yoga. I find exercising to be a really uplifting thing to take part in and eventually it almost becomes addictive!
8. Set yourself goals in order to get ahead and when you accomplish a goal give yourself a small reward for doing so. You don't always have to wait until you accomplish your goal - that's being too hard on yourself - give yourself a reward for every step you take no matter how small. 
9. Learn techniques that allow you to bring your attention and focus back to the task on hand quickly like telling yourself to focus.
10. Use affirmations throughout the day to instill self-confidence and positive thoughts and feelings. Go back to the four techniques I mentioned in this article on affirmations (click here) if you need help with using affirmations.
11. Always look for the best in bad situations, while things might not be what we expect if you look hard enough you may find they are not as bad as they seem to be. Depending on the situation this may be more challenging than at other times but at the very least accept your part in what has happened and look for what the lesson is in all of it.
12. Remember that the situation won’t last forever, this is only a temporary stage you are going through and it will get better. Not only will it get better but for the most part things may massively improve. When you get yourself through a situation there is always something better waiting at the other end as long as you are willing to work through it.

I hope these twelve tips have helped you towards how to focus on the positive. Take your time and use the ones that work for you, some will and some won't but the more you use the better and quicker your self improvement will take place.

Recommended

For help with developing your self talk and overall self confidence read - Change your beliefs, change your life by Nick Hall
Change your beliefs

In Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Life, Dr. Nick Hall shows you how to recognize the impact your beliefs have on your life. The important thing is to know where any given belief comes from and understand how and why you internalized it - especially if it's a belief you want to change. You also need to recognize those beliefs you've been suppressing or ignoring - beliefs that have become habits or beliefs that are preventing you from getting the most out of your life.