{"id":27013,"date":"2014-08-06T20:25:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-07T04:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=27013"},"modified":"2014-08-10T20:05:51","modified_gmt":"2014-08-11T04:05:51","slug":"34-ways-encourage-positive-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/34-ways-encourage-positive-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"34 Ways to Encourage Positive Thinking"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

The brain is a powerful organ; it controls the entire body. But your thought process is much more influential. Your thoughts dictate who you become, what you do, and the success you\u2019ll have.<\/p>\n

Take some time to really analyze your thoughts. Which direction do they point you?<\/p>\n

Buddha said, \u201cThe mind is everything. What you think you become.\u201d If an inventory of your thought process yields more negative thinking than positive, it\u2019s time to make some changes.<\/p>\n

Here are 34 things you can do to encourage positive thinking.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Stop saying, \u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d If you hear it too often, you\u2019ll convince yourself it\u2019s true. Instead, say, \u201cI\u2019ll try my hardest,\u201d or, \u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. When you start to feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts, force yourself to focus on positive things. Look around you and appreciate the simple things\u2014even if it\u2019s only for a few minutes.<\/li>\n
  3. Fill your vocabulary<\/a> with words that encourage success, strength, encouragement, motivation and optimism.<\/li>\n
  4. Assume the best. Don\u2019t go into a project with a negative mindset, convinced you will fail. Approach each task knowing that you have the power to succeed.<\/li>\n
  5. Learn from your mistakes. Thinking positively doesn\u2019t mean you should block out all negativity. We all make mistakes\u2014learn from them. Reflect on how the situation could have been handled differently and adjust accordingly.<\/li>\n
  6. Recognize your own contributions. Sure, group efforts are good, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should discount your value. If you made positive contributions to a project or task, pat yourself on the back!<\/li>\n
  7. Look for the silver lining. Bad things happen; as much as you try to prevent those situations from happening, they will. When they do, look for the silver lining. Maybe getting fired from your job was just the kick you needed to finally start your own business.<\/li>\n
  8. Visualize your success. Are you determined to lose weight? Hang a pair of \u201cskinny\u201d jeans on the refrigerator door. Want to save enough money for a Florida vacation? Tape a picture of a beach sunset to your computer monitor.<\/li>\n
  9. Sit up! Slouching is bad for your posture<\/a> and your attitude.<\/li>\n
  10. Change your clothes. If you feel better about yourself\u2014and how you look\u2014you\u2019ll naturally radiate confidence. When you feel more confident, you\u2019ll have a better outlook on life.<\/li>\n
  11. Write down your negative thoughts. You may be able to detect a pattern.<\/li>\n
  12. Write down your successes. Once you stop to think about it, you\u2019ll realize there are a lot more good things happening in your life than you thought.<\/li>\n
  13. Help someone else. Often times, we get too wrapped up in our own drama. We forget how fortunate we really are. Volunteer to help a good cause.<\/li>\n
  14. Send someone a thank you note. Be grateful for the people in your life and the ways they help enhance your existence.<\/li>\n
  15. Turn off the TV and chuck the newspaper. These days, it seems the nightly newscasts are filled with sad, depressing stories. If you are already struggling to think positively, those gloomy stories will only make you feel worse.<\/li>\n
  16. Take a class. Often times, we feel overwhelmed by all the things we need to do. Adding one more event to your daily (or weekly) routine might seem counterintuitive. But learning something new can help your brain stay active. If you need suggestions on where to start, check this list<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  17. Create something. If you create something from nothing, you\u2019ll have an immense sense of accomplishment. Don\u2019t worry if it doesn\u2019t come out perfect. The process\u2014not the product\u2014is important. Do a puzzle, bake a cake, paint your living room.<\/li>\n
  18. Go somewhere new. Explore things you\u2019ve never noticed before. Venture down a new walking path, eat at a new restaurant, visit an art gallery.<\/li>\n
  19. When faced with an obstacle, chunk it up. Take a large, seemingly impossible task and break it up into manageable chunks. Each time you accomplish one of your mini goals, you\u2019ll be that much closer to completely mastering the task.<\/li>\n
  20. Don\u2019t make excuses. Whether you voice them out loud or simply pass them off in your thinking, don\u2019t make excuses for your behavior\u2014or anyone else\u2019s.<\/li>\n
  21. Don\u2019t be a victim. Bad things happen to everyone. Hosting a pity party and hoping people will feel sorry for you won\u2019t make things better.<\/li>\n
  22. Grow something. Surround yourself with new life. You\u2019ll be amazed at how fresh flowers<\/a> can boost your mood.<\/li>\n
  23. Spend time with animals. Tell the truth; have you ever stood in front of the monkey cage at the zoo and felt sad, stressed, depressed or had any other negative thought? No. It\u2019s impossible. If you can\u2019t manage a trip to the zoo, visit the pet store. Watching little kittens roll all over each other is sure to bring a smile to your face.<\/li>\n
  24. Buy a radio alarm clock. Program your wake-up alarm to an uplifting station. Ensure your day has a positive undertone from the very first moment.<\/li>\n
  25. Eat more antioxidants. The brain (and your uplifting mood) is especially susceptible to the destructive powers of free radicals. Eat some apricots, cantaloupe, peaches, spinach, blueberries, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, or nuts.<\/li>\n
  26. Cave to the carb craving. If you are craving carbs, it means your serotonin level is low. So give in\u2014just be wise about your decisions. Reach for a PBJ sandwich on wheat bread instead of a slice of cake.<\/li>\n
  27. Eat a hamburger. Protein is converted into an amino acid called tyrosine which boosts dopamine and norepinephrine (phew\u2026that was a mouthful!). So, if you want to feel more alert and enhance your concentration skills, eat more protein.<\/li>\n
  28. Spend time in the sun. Don\u2019t bake yourself to the point of skin cancer\u2014just get a few rays. There is a link between depression and a vitamin D deficiency. You can\u2019t think positively if you\u2019re battling depression<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  29. Get more vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining the health of your nervous system. If you want your brain to function at optimum levels\u2014and keep negative thoughts at bay\u2014check your vitamin levels. Some experts<\/a> say vitamin B12 even helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/li>\n
  30. Sing. It doesn\u2019t matter if the entire tune is off key, it will make you feel better<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  31. Play a game\u2014just don\u2019t let it get too competitive!<\/li>\n
  32. Revert to your childhood. Was there something you used to love to do but haven\u2019t made time for it lately? Rekindle the flame. Dust off the roller skates, pull out the crayons\u2026just be whimsical again.<\/li>\n
  33. Look at old pictures. Remember the good ol\u2019 days.<\/li>\n
  34. Smile. Just smile–even if it is for no reason at all. Bad things can\u2019t possibly seem as devastating if you\u2019re smiling.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, \u201cWhatever you can do\u2014or dream you can\u2014begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Be bold (and powerful and magical) in your thinking. Focus on the positive things in your life and the negatives will melt away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If an inventory of your thought process yields more negative thinking than positive, it\u2019s time to make some changes.<\/p>\n

    Here are 34 things you can do to encourage positive thinking. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":27014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[9,6],"tags":[66,257,769,3637,3752],"yoast_head":"\n34 Ways to Encourage Positive Thinking - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Buddha said, \u201cThe mind is everything. What you think you become.\u201d Let's replace negative thoughts with positive thinking. 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