Did you know that having a positive mindset could be your way to success?

We are bombarded by the things happening around us, the global pandemic, wars, natural calamities, politics, economic recession, unemployment and many others. It seems we are surrounded by negativity, losing focus on the right perspective of life and what good it has to offer. 

It is a matter of choice of what you want to do with your life and the things you perceive to create a purposeful and meaningful life thus creating an impact. You create your own story. Take full ownership over your life. It all starts with your self-belief and your approach to life. A positive mindset is key.

Having a positive mindset gives enormous benefits to physical and mental wellbeing.  A positive mindset can give you more confidence, improve your mood, and even reduce the likelihood of developing conditions such as hypertension, depression and other stress-related disorders.

But what does a positive mindset really mean? 

You can define a positive mindset or positive thinking as positive imagery, positive self-talk or general optimism, but these are all still general, ambiguous concepts. A good description of a positive mindset as the tendency to focus on the bright side, expect positive results, and approach challenges with a positive outlook. Having a positive mindset means making positive thinking a habit, continually searching for the silver lining and making the best out of any situation you find yourself in.

Here are some tips to get you started that can help you train your brain on how to achieve a positive mindset.

• Start your day with positive affirmation – tell yourself it’s going to be a great day, listen to a happy and positive playlist or do something nice to someone
• Focus on the good things, however small – challenging situations are part of life, focus on the good things no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem
• Practice gratitude – practising gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and foster resilience even in very difficult times
• Keep a gratitude journal –  studies have found that writing down the things you’re grateful for can improve your optimism and sense of well-being
• Open yourself up to humour –  be open to humour in all situations, especially the difficult ones, and give yourself permission to laugh. It instantly lightens the mood and makes things seem a little less difficult
• Spend time with positive people – being around positive people has been shown to improve self-esteem and increase your chances of reaching goals. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and help you see the bright side
• Practice positive self-talk – a small shift in the way you talk to yourself can influence your ability to regulate your feelings, thoughts, and behaviour under stress
• Identify your areas of negativity – take a good look at the different areas of your life and identify the ones in which you tend to be the most negative. Not sure? Ask a trusted friend, or colleague Chances are, they’ll be able to offer some insight. A co-worker might notice that you tend to be negative at work. Your spouse may notice that you get especially negative while driving. Tackle one area at a time.

You won’t be able to undo years of pessimism and negative thoughts overnight, but with some coaching and practice, you can learn how to approach things with a more positive outlook.

Struggling with your mindset? Incredible Buzz coaching can help you email hello@incrediblebuzz.com or visit www.incrediblebuzz.com