Be honest, how often do you find yourself slipping into a sea of negative thoughts? How often do you go into a new situation expecting the worst? Unfortunately, those thoughts are dangerous. After all, negativity is like a fast-growing virus. Get just a little bit of it in your system and you'll be completely taken over by it!
So, how do you keep all that negativity from controlling your entire life?
Simple! You've got to expect greatness. No matter what's on your to do list for the day, you've got to expect great things will happen.
But how do you actually change your mindset?
1. Focus on being more self-aware.
Those negative thoughts tend to bubble beneath the surface of your consciousness. If you really want to break the cycle, you've got to pay serious attention to how you feel and think. Several times a day, do a self-assessment of sorts. If you realize you feel grumpy, pessimistic, or stressed out, it means your mind is succumbing to all those negative thoughts.
2. Put your negative thoughts to the test.
Instead of simply believing that negative little voice in your head, challenge it. For example, if you're convinced you won't finish that big work project on time, ask yourself why. Why are you going to fail? If you have the tools and the expertise to do the work, why would you screw it up?
You can even take this one step further and tell yourself everything is going to be OK. Remind yourself of your capabilities and talents and tell your mind the project will be done in time - and it'll be great.
The best thing about negativity is it's like that bully on the playground. Stand up to it and it backs down!
3. Train yourself to think about the positives.
Having a positive mindset is no different than developing any other skill. It takes practice! You've got to train your mind to think positively.
For example, every time your alarm clock goes off, sit up and tell yourself (out loud if you have to) today is going to be a great day. Remind yourself of all the opportunities each day brings. And, tell yourself life is actually fun!
Yes, there are going to be times when you feel stressed, anxious, and downright down, but these are all chances to practice thinking positively. For example, instead of dwelling on that problem, see it as an opportunity to learn something new or make yourself stronger.
Bottom line - when you focus on the positives, positive things happen. You won't be able to safeguard yourself from every bump in the road, but you can make those bumps fewer and further in between!
The easiest and fastest way to keep negativity from controlling your life is to have a clear and definite vision of what you want, what you really want, and keep your thoughts focused there. Exactly how you do that is something I cover in depth in my Wallace D. Wattles Quick Start Guide. Click or tap the link below to get your copy today.
Click or tap here to get my Wallace D. Wattles Quick Start Guide on Amazon Kindle.
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03/03/2016 Update: If you've completed my Wallace D. Wattles Quick Start Guide and want to take what you learned from it to the next level, I highly recommend my Wallace D. Wattles Advanced Vision Guide. Click or tap the link below to get your copy today.
Click or tap here to get the Wallace D. Wattles Advanced Vision Guide on Amazon Kindle.
No Kindle? No problem! Click or tap here to get a free Kindle reading app for your device.
Prefer paperback?
Click or tap here to get my Wallace D. Wattles Advanced Vision Guide in paperback on Amazon.
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Hi Tony Mase! I liked very much your Bottom line: "when you focus on the positives, positive things happen. You won't be able to safeguard yourself from EVERY bump in the road, but you CAN make those bumps fewer and further in between!"
Posted by: Luiz Edgar de Carvalho | 08/03/2014 at 09:19 AM
Glad to hear that Luiz. Thanks for your comment!
Posted by: Tony Mase | 08/03/2014 at 10:20 AM
Hi Tony,
I do enjoy reading your blogs! I like your views of how we interface with the universe and how we can impact this interaction by gaining mastery over our own minds! I feel the secret is really to harness your own energy. Your energy gets jet fueled when you become excited about your life. This means focussing on the positive, recognizing and pursuing opportunities, and recognizing challenges for what they are: the signal to regroup and redirect.
Posted by: Manuela Joannou | 08/03/2014 at 01:24 PM
It's always worthwhile to read your material, Tony. I will put to good use the metaphor about the "schoolyard bully". That's brilliant to stand up to the 'nagging doubt'. Thank you for this new habit I'll practice!
Posted by: Mary Gallagher | 08/03/2014 at 02:49 PM
You are so right Tony, we also need to surround ourselves with others who wish positive things in our lives.
Posted by: Hayward Holmes | 08/03/2014 at 07:46 PM
@Manuela Joannou: Glad to hear that Manuela. Thanks for your comment!
Posted by: Tony Mase | 08/04/2014 at 05:07 AM
@Mary Gallagher: You're welcome. I appreciate your saying that Mary. Thank you for your comment!
Posted by: Tony Mase | 08/04/2014 at 05:11 AM
@Hayward Holmes: Thanks for you comment Hayward!
Posted by: Tony Mase | 08/04/2014 at 05:15 AM