3 Simple Keys for Overcoming Negativity in Your Life
Having constant negative thoughts pouring through your mind will quickly put a damper on your creativity, and tends to get in the way of achieving the goals that you have for yourself.
While we all know that being more positive and optimistic in our lives will help us find success, many struggle to make the change from a negative to a positive mindset. ]
Here are some simple keys to help you overcome negativity and change your life.
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Many people will tell you to just "think positive." However, it isn't always that easy.
When you find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thinking, or are terrified of a negative outcome, positive thoughts often ring as not possible.
When you find yourself worrying about a negative result, take a piece of paper and pen and write down the worst thing that can happen. Then, write down the best thing that could happen. Then, think of some middle-ground outcomes.
When you create a variety of potential outcomes, you’ll become less emotional, which will help you think more clearly.
Recognize When You Are Using Negative Thoughts
Often, when you’re facing disappointment or not wanting to put in the effort, you'll use negative thoughts to protect yourself. When you think negative thoughts, like "It won't work," or "I can't do that," you are permitting yourself to play it safe.
When you catch yourself thinking negatively and talking yourself out of action, take a step back and remind yourself that the most successful people have also faced failure.
Anybody who is in the position that you want to be in as faced and overcome the same problems that you are facing.
If you’re talking yourself out of something that you want, take the time to make a list of why you want it. The list of positives will help to change your focus and keep you moving forward with less fear.
Become an Observer of Your Thoughts
Doesn't it always seem much easier to see and solve someone else's problems than your own?
You can recognize when your friend is getting all worked up over nothing, or that losing sleep over a meeting isn’t going to help.
However, when it’s your mind dealing with negative thoughts, it’s a lot tougher to see and stop.
When you decide you want to be more positive, you need to become more conscious of what you are thinking. When you can step back and analyze the situation as an observer, you will see a shift in your focus, and you'll be more mindful of how you are looking at the situation.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you can’t predict the future. That thing that you’re worrying about might end up being the best thing that has ever happened to you.
You just don’t know. So why stress?
As one of my favorite comedians, Bill Burr, puts it…
“You’re going to be fine; and even if you’re not going to be fine, isn’t it better to just exist thinking that you’re going to be fine. And when it’s not fine, then you can just fuckin handle it. There’s no sense to ruin right now, right?”
Good Vibes Only
Nick