We all know the power of positive thinking. Yet, when the going gets tough, staying positive is a challenge. Your husband lost his job, your daughter failed her exams and the car needs a new transmission. That doesn't even cover the migraine you had for days or your project deadline. Too much at once! You peak at this little book on your desk entitled: Pick Yourself Up and Go. Oh No! Not another book about positive thinking. This author has no idea what you are going through!
Why do once positive people fall victim to negativity when the forces work against them? Primarily because they blame themselves when unfortunate circumstances pop up. We wonder how our thoughts and actions contributed to our present misery. If, in fact, our thoughts and actions were deciding factors, the more reason to stay positive from here on. We are what we think!
Thinking positively followed by positive actions is key to positive outcomes. Staying positive is a conscious decision and it is work. Staying positive is difficult when the world is caving in, but we must take the first step, even if we can't see the whole stairway. Theorizing about being positive is never enough, instead we must act. Imagine you want to get in shape. Daydreaming about being on the treadmill, albeit a helpful vision, will not get you in shape. You must step up to the plate and do it! Staying positive is much the same. Turn the steps below into action. Don't analyze – just do it and watch positive outcomes unfold:
- Stay away from whiners and complainers even if they are your best friends
- Spend time with those who lift you up
- Ask your friends and family for help
- Make a list of 10 things that you like about yourself
- If you can't find sane people, go to a playground – children inspire like nothing else
- Rescue a puppy from the pound – you won't have time be negative
- Avoid TV, in particular the news. Unless your life is in danger the world can wait
- Read that little book on your desk and others (the authors do know)
- Get in touch with God
- Listen to inspiring music
- Eat healthy food
- Have fresh flowers
- Keep up your exercise program or start one
- Learn a new skill
- Live in the now
No matter how terrible you feel, follow these steps. When you are at your worst, do all of the above at once: Ask your best friend to clean your house, take your I-pod, roller-blade to the playground with your puppy behind you, build a sand castle with the kids. Return to a clean home, enjoy a healthy meal (don't forget that glass of wine), download Spanish for dummies and get right into it. Call an inspiring friend, read the list of positives about you, and take an inspiring book to bed. You just did all in one day!
Staying positive is achieved by conditioning your mind with positive thoughts and actions. By being actively positive you will seek solutions instead of problems and increase your success rate at anything you do. Commit yourself to these steps above and allow the process to unfold.
About the Author: © 2005 Allie Ochs, Relationship Expert, Coach, Speaker and the Author of "Are You Fit To Love?" ISBN 0-9720227-9-1. Her articles are published in numerous magazines and newsletters. She has appeared on radio and TV. To order her book or to take the Fit 2 Love! Test visit her website at www.fit2love.com. For FREE relationship/dating advice e-mail: askallie@fit2love.com.
