#1 – Don’t let the negative penetrate.
We are constantly being bombarded with negativity—it’s all around us. In the newspapers, on the news, in the blogs we read, in the attitude of others… In order to be positive, you need to learn to tune out the negative and focus on the positive. This doesn’t mean you have to be ignorant of the facts, but rather, accept the present situation as it is and do something about it. Fired from work? Accept it as a chance to get a better job, not a “horrible” fate.
#2 – See everything as challenges, not problems.
Life is all in the perspective, or the glasses from which you see the world. Just like one man’s trash is another man’s treasure or how beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the difference between “bad” and “good” things is exactly what you make it out to be. Learn to change your perspective on life (a ‘paradigm shift’, as they call it) and it will change everything.
Don’t see obstacles and roadblocks in life as problems; see them as challenges. No matter what, there is always something to be learned or gained from everything. Never forget that. Many miss out on such opportunities because they allow themselves to get so caught up in the event itself (getting fired, breaking up with a significant other, etc.) that they forget to extract the ’silver lining’ out of their dark cloud.
#3 – Ask good questions.
The best way switch yourself from negative thinking to positive thinking is to ask good questions. Questions actively engage the brain, while statements do not. Observe the following differences:
“I can’t do!” vs. “How can I do it?”
Telling yourself that you can’t do it does nothing. You accept defeat as a fact because you have told yourself that you cannot do it or that nothing can be done. However, by asking yourself how can you do it, you engage your brain in problem solving mode. Right away, you brain seeks to find answers.
The same can be said for making the best out of the worst. Instead saying negative things to yourself like “this is horrible!”, “now I’ll never…”, or “there is no use!”, ask yourself good questions. Questions like:
- What is the best way to conquer with this challenge?
- What can I learn from this challenge?
- How can I use this challenge in a positive way?
- What can I share with others about this challenge?
#4 – Look for the life lesson.
Sometimes, the reason for bad things is not always immediately apparent. Sometimes it takes years, or perhaps even an entire lifetime to see how the events in your life were linked together, but if you really look for it, you will find it.
Sometimes, the only thing you can learn from bad experiences is simply not to repeat your mistake again, and there is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, the lessons we learn in life are expensive. Sometimes the cost us friendships, relationships, lives, money, time, and more, but so long as you have learned something from the experience or event itself, it is not all for naught.
#5 – Share what you’ve learned.
If you feel you have no purpose in life, or even if you know you do, make it one of your life missions to share what you’ve learned about life. Turn your negative experiences into a lesson for everyone to learn. Share what you know about overcoming certain problems or habits. Share what you know about recovering from break ups or deaths in the family. Share what you know about addictions and how to overcome them.
Everyone has something to share about life, and most everyone is willing—wanting, often—to hear how others have overcome the same challenges they face today. Whatever you’re facing, realize that you aren’t the first—nor will you be the last—to face it. Why not share your experience and how you came through it with someone else? You might be surprised to see how much someone will appreciate it.
