How to Think Positive? A Beginner’s Guide…

First of all, think. A surprising number of people don’t. But since you do, you can move on to the next step: think positive.

Perhaps you’ve had an idea buried deep inside you, perhaps for years now—some innovative concept that you believe in with all your being, but, for whatever reason, have been too nervous to unveil to the world. Perhaps you simply fear failure.

You’re a realist (which is to say, a pessimist!), and concentrate on everything that could possible go wrong.

Why not learn to envision success? Why not focus on all that could go right? If your endeavor is fueled by this kind of positive thinking, you’ll be more productive, more creative, and more energetic. Most importantly, your healthy optimism and positive thinking will inspire those around you, and actually help those dreams of yours be fulfilled.

Below are just a few helpful pointers to consider:

1. Pledge your loyalty.

Pledge your personal loyalty to yourself and to your ideas. Affirm the fact that you believe in your ideas, and you believe in your own power to turn those blueprints in your head into a reality. Moreover, pledge your loyalty to those around you, at work and at home—because you’ll need their support to bring about a positive change in your life.

2. Pursue your dreams with passion.

Set out on every task with a genuine sense of passion. You enjoy what you’re doing; you believe in its power to bring about a better world, in whatever way, whether large or small. Genuine passion demands action, not whispering sweet nothings. Back up your words with passionate, committed action.

3. Realize the nobility of making an effort.

No enterprise, of course, can be guaranteed success. People full of sincerity, and the best of intentions, have dedicated their work and their passion to projects which, in the end, may have failed. That’s a simple reality. Sometimes, though, it’s worth noting the nobility, the bravery of even failed efforts. As history shows, even those whose passion is rewarded initially with a setback are often so resilient that they bounce back, and use what they’ve learned to attack an even larger mountain. There’s a great nobility in this sense of fearlessness.

4. Show gratitude.

A big part of positive thinking is recognizing how much one already has. Remind yourself daily of how far you’ve come. Of course, you want more, and you work for more—that striving is what justifies any life. At the same time, your life is worth living exactly as it is today.

5. Take time to laugh.

Often, the most positive people are the most humorous ones. Part of their fearlessness is their ability to laugh at anything—danger, failure, setbacks, and, most importantly, themselves!

6. You control your destiny.

Whatever the outcome of your efforts, you are their sole author. Never blame your failures (or credit your successes!) to other people. Yes, they inevitably play a role in any enterprise. But your success begins and ends with you. The buck stops here!

7. Inspire exuberance in others.

Don’t take the mad scientist approach to success. Don’t lock yourself in your office and talk to yourself. Get out in the world. Gather a team around you. Inspire them with a sense of joy in what they do. Make them understand the importance of what you’re doing. Give them the motivation they need to make your shared dreams come true.

Those who think positively think big. Those who think big often do great things. Certainly, no one did great things by thinking small, or by thinking negatively. If you fail to start, you fail. Set out on your journey, full of faith in yourself, and in where you’re going.

-
Photo by stshores24