If you read any personal development advice, you’ll rather quickly come across the idea that it’s important to focus on positive aspects of life. Rather than dwelling on what could be better or what you feel you should be doing, you’re encouraged to pay attention to the areas which are already going well.
The concept makes sense: by concentrating on what’s good, we’re likely to be encouraged and motivated, and we’ll automatically start looking for ways to get more of the same. The problem, though, is how to focus on what’s positive in our lives – when it’s easy to dwell on mistakes and regrets.
These are four simple techniques to try:
Regular Gratitude Journal
I’ve got to confess, there’s something about constant “be grateful” advice that gets on my nerves a bit. Sometimes I’m just not feeling in a very grateful mood, or the whole idea can seem a bit hokey. But when I read in Richard Wiseman’s 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot that scientific studies have shown that gratitude really does make you happier, I decided I needed to take it a bit more seriously.
Ideally, you’ll spend a couple of minutes each evening jotting down a short list of things which you’re grateful for. It could be anything from a really good cup of coffee that morning to hearing your child say “I love you.”
But don’t ditch this one if a daily effort is too much – once or twice a week will still be a huge help.
Monthly Achievement Log
Over the past three years, I’ve been spending just five – ten minutes each month writing down the things which I’ve achieved. They don’t have to be a big deal: anything new, like “went ski-ing for the first time” or any particular milestones, like “finished draft one of my novel” go into the book.
This has been a great habit because it encourages you to try new things, and it also helps you look back and see what you’ve achieved. Give it a go, especially in months where you feel you haven’t accomplished much – there’ll always be more than you think!
Focus on Effort
From childhood, we’re used to being graded on our work, and praised (or not!) for the results we get. Although celebrating your achievements is definitely part of being positive, it’s also important to acknowledge effort.
If you tried hard at something, regardless of whether you fully succeeded or not, that’s important. Rather than focusing entirely on the results which you get, look at the effort you put in. Maybe you’re trying to lose weight: the scales didn’t budge this week, but you went out jogging three times. In the long run, building that consistent habit is more important than minor fluctuations in your weight.
Say “Thank You”
It costs nothing at all to say “thank you” – but it can really brighten up someone’s day. It makes you feel good, too, to focus on being pleased with someone (rather than criticizing or nagging them). Next time your partner cooks dinner, or your children tidy up their toys, say a simple “thank you”.
This is really powerful in the workplace, too; it helps you appreciate your colleagues or employees more, and it can be very motivating to them too – making the office a much more positive place to be.
What tips do you have on focusing on the positive aspects of life, rather than getting bogged down worrying about the negative ones?
Related Articles:
Finding Bliss: How to Reverse Engineer Happiness
The 6 Components of a Happy Life
GET THE BOOK BY
ERIN FALCONER!
online pharmacy viagra generic name
Really Appreciate this article, how can I make is so that I receive an update sent in an email when you write a fresh post?
is there a generic for viagra cheap generic viagra viagra walgreens
generic viagra walmart buy sildenafil viagra for sale
can you buy viagra over the counter viagra online for sale how much does viagra cost
cialis daily tadalafil liquid cialis
goodrx viagra viagra no doctor prescription viagra coupons
natural herbs for ed ed medication online drugs online
viagra from canada cheap viagra generic for viagra
online ed pills
cheap viagra online canadian pharmacy generic viagra over the counter viagra cvs
cvs prescription prices without insurance
viagra cialis buy viagra from canada generic viagra cost
vitality ed pills
cheap generic viagra cheap ed pills viagra pill
buy prescription drugs online legally
cialis without a doctor prescription cialis online safe alternatives to viagra and cialis
can you have multiple orgasms with cialis cheap cialis coupons for cialis
male ed canadian drugs online ed in young men
canadian drugs online
ventolin prescription australia ventolin 2mg tab
order zantac buy zantac online
zantac 150 zantac generic
buy tadalafil online tadalafil canada
best place to buy generic drugs compare pharmacy
sildenafil online sildenafil generic
have a sex
ed tablets https://sildenafilxxl.com/ best place to buy viagra online
price of viagra viagra 100mg viagra online canada
Keep It up Buddy |
home remedies for ed buy Nolvadex cheap drugs
drugs for ed best online canadian pharmacy pain meds without written prescription
viagra otc viagra pill viagra viagra cheap
ed treatment cheap generic drugs from india best ed treatment
new ed treatments pharmacies not requiring a prescription best treatment for ed
best drugs for ed: ed pills otc erection pills viagra online
canada price on cialis nose congested when taking cialis cialis 20 image
how to get viagra where can i buy viagra over the counter cheap viagra online canadian pharmacy
mail order viagra viagra walmart viagra doses 200 mg
buying ed pills online canadian pharmacy cialis causes for ed
viagra prices viagra without prescription cheap viagra
does cialis lower your blood pressure price of cialis generic for cialis
zithromax antibiotic zithromax 500 mg lowest price pharmacy online zithromax cost australia
私たちの幅広い選択からあなたの好みで安いセックス人形を見つけてください。 私たちのライフライクなダッチワイフコレクションは膨大で、あらゆる種類とサイズの人形があります。 あなたの好みが何であるかに関係なく、私たちはあなたのために安くて手頃なセックス人形を持っています。 これが私たちが提供するコレクションのほんの一部です adult dolls
As a Newbie, I am continuously exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you Sex Doll Blog
74HCT161D,652 is available. We are distributor of NXP Semiconductors / Freescale 74HCT161D,652. Buy 74HCT161D,652 IC SYNC 4BIT BINARY COUNT 16SOIC.
The best e-cigarette liquid site in Korea. Korea’s lowest-priced 전자담배 액상 사이트 e-cigarette liquid.
스모크밤695 스모크밤
전자담배 액상 사이트 The best e-cigarette liquid site in Korea. smok25 Korea’s lowest-priced e-cigarette liquid. 스모크밤639 스모크밤
에볼루션코리아
689XOyWcu|@@
에볼루션카지노
279sWqKws$[(
에볼루션바카라
612VhgLvV&+~
에볼루션룰렛
394trKXdJ\>>
에볼루션블랙잭373qJTOhV/]~
제주룸
658MDYStl-:>
에볼루션카지노
610ugqFbK[($