by Sam Carey
To develop a positive mindset, I believe that there are a few basics that set the foundation. These include the following;
- Eating well
- Drinking less (alcohol)
- Sleeping well
- and reducing negative influences
After setting the foundation of the basics seen above, one can focus on developing a positive mindset. To me, it is like training your muscles, if you want to get stronger then you have to practice. The more often you lift weights and the heavier they get, then the stronger you become. Developing a mental strength is the same.
What helped me develop a positive mindset was to become aware of my emotions or feelings. Are they positive or negative? It is important to know that you are in control of your thoughts and in essence your feelings. If a negative thought comes into your head, can you get rid of it without harbouring it for a long period. If held onto; it will become a feeling and affect your mood. The challenge is to be able to go through your day without harbouring a single negative thought. It’s a skill and requires practice. ‘Whatever you practice, you will improve at’
When I have negative thoughts I try to fend them off by having positive thoughts, or trying to change my perspective. Could I interpret the situation through a different lens? If so, then I try to look at it without emotion through another point of view.
If you can control your thoughts, you can control your emotions, then you have the power to control your experiences.
I think it’s important to note that a positive mindset isn’t inherited, it is built.
When I approach a problem I like to remember the famous Henry Ford quote;
‘There are no such things as problems, only opportunities’
The opportunity is to do things differently!