One of the most powerful abilities human beings have is that we have the ability to choose our thoughts. If this ability is used in the correct way it enables us to have control over our emotions and therefore our actions. This is because our thoughts create our emotions and feelings, which in turn affect our future actions. If this ability is ignored and unused we loose our greatest power and the control we can have on creating our lives in the way that we want.
However if we have an experience which we perceive to be negative then this creates negative emotions which in turn makes us take negative actions. So if we can reframe that experience in a positive way it will create positive emotions instead, which will of course lead to positive actions.
This can be done in nearly all circumstances. One of the most useful forms of reframing is when people have to deal with failures. Most people look at a failure as a very negative experience. However this is where successful and happy people have an advantage over the vast majority of people who do not understand about reframing. The simplest way of reframing a failure is to look at it as a learning opportunity which enables a person to build a new skill or find a different perspective on approaching that situation in the future.
This type of reframing on its own can have a massive impact on a person’s success. I want you to understand that failure in itself is rarely a negative thing to experience, it is just our perception of failure that makes it so hard to live with. The best way to think of failure is that it is a stepping stone to success. After all it is a fact that all successful people no matter what their success is in, they have failed time and time again on their journey to the top.
This is also the reason people who go about their day with a frown on their face and a terrible attitude end up having bad event after bad event spring up all around them. Their negative mindset becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy... they curse themselves and kill their chances of being happy.
In many important ways we create our own reality. Our mindset can be thought of as the script writer or director of our life experiences and we can choose the plot of our story. When we opt for positivity, what seemed like a sad tale or even a horror movie can become a love story or adventure!
Are you ready to change your life's plot by opting for positivity? Great, I thought you would be!
These ideas will help.
Challenge Your Negative Thoughts Immediately with Positivity.
Negative thoughts can and will creep into our minds regularly, no matter how positive you are or how well trained your mindset is. This is because of the way our subconscious minds are wired. Our subconscious mind has evolved to protect us and therefore it is wired to perceive things negatively to warn us of potential dangers and to keep us safe.
Negative thoughts are unavoidable, especially in the beginning when we are just picking up the habit of holding a positive mindset. The trick is not letting them take root. By challenging them immediately with positivity we can deflate them of having any real influence over us. Whenever you feel yourself thinking negatively, re-frame your thoughts and consider the positive side of what's occurring. For this technique to work properly you must QUICKLY challenge these negative thoughts. The more you delay the more harm they will do.
This reframing technique will take time and effort to master. You must be conscious of your thoughts and aware of how your thoughts create your emotions so that you can catch them when you are thinking negatively and reframe them in time. Once a negative emotion has taken hold it can be very hard to reverse it so reframing is only effective if you can use it quickly.
This technique will take time and effort but when done correctly it is extremely powerful and can change your life immeasurably.
Listen To Music (and watch movies) That Lift Your Mood.
This may sound simple and obvious, and in truth it is. Where we turn to for entertainment has a great effect on how we view the world. Dark and depressing music and movies can make it very difficult for us to shift our mindset towards positivity.
This only makes sense doesn't it?
Take a look at what you listen to in the car and on your MP3 player. Is this music that makes you smile and think of life's bright possibilities or does it have the opposite effect? The same question should be asked about the movies and television shows you watch for entertainment.
Making a move to clean these things up can have a tremendous effect on your subconscious mind. Of course an occasional scary movie won't hurt if that's what you enjoy, but do your best to indulge in music and movies that work with your goal of thinking positive, NOT against it.
Another change to the type of entertainment that can be made is to read more. Reading is another form of passing the time as with television and films. However reading has been proven to promote happiness as it is a much more involved form of entertainment. When watching television it is easy to switch off and disengage your brain to some extent. However reading does not allow this as it requires your full concentration. It also requires you to use your imagination to interpret what you are reading in a visual manor within your 'minds eye'. Hours spent watching the telly can feel like a waste of time however reading will generally give you a feeling of being productive with your time. This of course can fully depend upon what it is you read or watch.
Make A Powerful Set Of Affirmations.
We've already explored the power our words hold over our happiness. Now let's go deeper and use this
knowledge to help boost our mindset with a daily affirmation.
An affirmation is simply a positive statement that you repeat to yourself first thing in the morning and before you go to sleep in the evening. It can also be used whenever you feel stressed out or your thoughts are drifting away from positivity.
Now you can write your own or you can use this famous one created by one of the original self-help authors in the early 1900's... "Each day, in every way, I am getting better and better". If you choose to write your own be sure to phrase things that you want and appreciate NOT negative things you're trying to avoid. So instead of saying "I'm not fat" you would say "I am fit and healthy". It's a secret to how our minds work that will make your affirmations take hold quicker and with more effect. Our minds can be tricky things!
The more positive your mindset, the happier you will be. So please take these suggestions and ideas very seriously.
You can also read through the rest of the content on this site to help you find more techniques and exercises which can help you in your journey to greater happiness.
Alternatively you can get in touch with me and see how I can help you personally and get you results fast like I have done with all my other clients.
I wish you all the happiness you can possibly get! Take care of yourself!
