Research has proved countless times that positive thinking has a wide variety of benefits for our emotional, mental, and even physical well-being. Positive thinkers have better stress-coping skills, stronger immunity, and more friends. But with today’s hectic lifestyle, when we feel overworked, tired, and stressed out by all the pressing demands and timelines, it can become all too easy to focus on the negative. So how can we eliminate negative thoughts and replace them with a more optimistic, positive outlook?
Building a positive mindset involves learning to acknowledge your negative thoughts, and then replacing them with more positive ones. It is not about ignoring your reality; it is more about having a proactive approach by looking for effective, creative ways to discipline your mind to come up with positive thoughts and positive solutions. It involves conditioning your mind to do things in a positive way as the brain can’t process the positive and negative at the same time. It is not a simple process that you complete in let’s say, two weeks. It takes time and practice. It is a long-life commitment to training your brain to become more positive. But it is possible, through practice, to break the ingrained negative response.
Why do we have negative recurring thoughts?
We have negative recurring thoughts because we give more attention, more importance to them than to any other thoughts, and the longer we think about them, the longer they last. When we keep obsessing about and repeatedly give more attention to the negative thoughts, our mind will be automatically conditioned to bring them up more often without our control.
How can you develop a positive mindset?
You can use the same mechanism to develop a positive mindset by repeatedly bringing more positive thoughts into your life.
First, acknowledge. Take total control of your attention and notice where your thoughts are. Are you tempted to think of and worry about a negative outcome? Take a moment to recognize the thought that’s forming in your brain. When you are experiencing negative thoughts, your whole body is responding: your muscles tense up and your breath becomes quicker. Relax your body by releasing any tension and focus on your breath.
Then interrupt that negative thinking and choose to replace it with something else. Redirect your mind from negative thinking to an ideal, positive outcome. Focus on the positive side and repeat it to yourself. Visualize a positive result, a positive situation, a positive outcome, and focus on the next steps you should take to get to that positive outcome. Give this positive outcome duration and importance by repeatedly focusing on it. Create the habit of focussing on what is right instead of what is wrong, on what you do have instead of what you don’t, on the solution instead of the problem.
Also, read How to Train Your Brain to Become More Positive
For example, if you make a mistake, think about what are you going to do next to turn your failure into a lesson. Or if you have to wait for someone or something, don’t think of it as a wasted time. Use that time to listen to a podcast or to finish other tasks. If you encounter obstacles and challenges you will learn patience and perseverance, and you will end up wiser and more experienced. Focus on the benefits, no matter how small and insignificant they seem. There’s always a bright side to every situation if you want to look for it.
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You are responsible for the thoughts you think and you have the power to eliminate negative thinking. Train your brain to set aside any negative thoughts and always come back to the positive alternative again and again, and do that as often as you can. If you can focus on what you are feeling and start doing this exercise over and over again, everything changes and, in time, you will be able to develop a positive mindset. Remember that what you focus on, you attract.
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Unknown
What do you usually do when you experience negative thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!
For more tools and resources on happiness check out my Resources page.
Well said my friend! I need to be more diligent on my thoughts to create positive actions. I let myself get so busy that I don’t pay attention!
Don’t worry, Julie. I guess we all do that. But when we get into the habit of shifting our focus, everything changes.
First thing everyday I write down then things I am thankful for. Start positive. I’s a kind of person where the glass is always half full.
That’s a great way to start your day! I’m sure it works! 🙂
Recently I have become more aware of my negative thoughts and have been trying to refocus. I think that is the hardest part, shifting my attention!
Will keep trying though!
Thanks for confirming I’m on the right path!
Shifting your focus is just a habit – it takes time and practice. Just keep trying and I’m sure you are going to be able to notice your negative thoughts as they start.
Love and needed this! I’m excited to have found your blog!
Thank you, Lauren!
I truly believe the brain is a muscle and if we do exercises and meditation for our mind, we can control more than we think! <3
I totally agree with you! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I’m developing a gratitude journal. before I got to bed I write down the one thing I was most thankful for that day! I love going back and reading what I wrote.
Gratitude is great! I recently started a gratitude journal and I can tell it works wonders. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
I really like the quote you put in at the end! Positive thinking is SO powerful
It really is, Holly. I’m glad you like the quote. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
I’ve become a naturally negative person. Same with my husband. However I take my negative thoughts in stride and find solutions for those problems. Sometimes they don’t even actually exist!
Ana, love this post, I needed to read it. I am working to change the way I think, the way I talk to myself. I believe that what we focus on grows, so I’m trying to be kinder in my thoughts, this is perfect! Thanks.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Nikki! It’s just like with any other habit – the more we practice it, the better we get to it. The reward is priceless. 🙂
Counting my blessings is a wonderful way of being positive!
❤️carmen
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com
That’s a great way to stay positive. Thanks for stopping by, Carmen! 🙂
I really enjoyed this post. These are great ways to build a positive mindset.
Thank you, Ramona. I’m glad you enjoyed my post! 🙂
There are so many people out there who struggle every single day with their mindset, there is all the need in the world to let them know that they can do something about it.
That the life you dream of might just be a change of perspective away, I just discovered your website, it makes me so happy to see someone who has the same vision I have for my readers and it shows even in your writing.
So glad to have come across you!