How to Improve Positive Thinking

Improving positive thinking can help you be happier, healthier, less stressed, and more successful. As a positive thinker you acknowledge problems and use positive thinking to resolve them. With improved positive thinking you will enhance your mood and give others the benefit of the doubt. Improving positive thinking is all about practicing positive thinking.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify your negative thinking. Carry a notepad and pen with you everywhere you go. Every time you think something negative write it down, then cross it out. Think of one way to turn that negative into a positive, then write that down.

• 2

  Acknowledge the good things in your life. Far too often we dismiss the positive things in our lives and focus too heavily on the negative, constantly trying to "fix" everything. Improve your positive thinking by acknowledging these good things. At the end of the day sit and remember every good thing that happened. It may help to keep a gratitude journal (see resources box).

• 3

  Decrease your doubts. Doubt comes with low self confidence. For example, you have a presentation coming up at work and you don't think anyone will like it. Instead improve positive thinking by figuring out how your presentation can interest your colleagues. Focus on the positive aspects of a situation and increase your confidence to decrease your doubts. Focus on your strengths and what you have accomplished to get rid of doubt. In your gratitude journal write positive things about yourself. It could be finishing a project, speaking in front of a group, receiving an award, going to a class, getting up early, or cooking dinner. By defining what your attributes are you will gain self-confidence.

• 4

  Acquire positive friends. Negative friends will take you down with them because pessimism can be contagious. Surround yourself with people who think positively and you'll be the same.

• 5

  Plan positively for the future. Planning forces you to sit down and think about your life and where you want it to be. Improve positive thinking by planning for your future, creating the life you want, and reaching well-thought out goals. For example, if you have negative thoughts about your career it could mean that you need a change. Create a plan for a career change: choose a school if you'll need traditional training, attend classes, attain an internship, and apply for jobs in your new chosen field. Planning is to create a positive future by completing small goals to reach the larger one.

• 6

  Think rationally. When you think negatively it is often illogical and when you can recognize that you will be able to improve your positive thinking. When you think no one will be interested in your presentation, ask yourself if that is true. You'll often discover that it is not. When you realize being pessimistic is not a true way to think, you'll have an easier time increasing your positive thinking and then focussing on how you can make your presentation better.