6 Sure ways to give yourself a more positive attitude
It
is sometimes hard to keep a positive attitude in a world that
seems full of obstacles. Here Therapist Michael Cohen explains
techniques
to help you look on the bright side of life…
- Get rid of
your ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts.
We engage in ‘Self talk’ practically every moment
of our waking lives. If our self-talk is positive then we function
well, but if it is negative we experience emotional disturbance.
Write
down your thoughts and ask yourself whether they are based
on reality.
Is it a foregone conclusion that I am going to be turned down
for that job? Am I blowing everything out of proportion? Challenging
your ANTS and replace them with positive thoughts. Then re-write
them in a more realistic way.
- Paint a positive tomorrow. Before you go to sleep, compose
a picture in your mind of the good things that could happen
the
next day
and tell yourself about the positive things you will be doing.
Before
you get out of bed the next morning, continue to visualize
these positive images.
- LEARN to be your own best friend. If you lack self-esteem and
find it difficult to admit your qualities to yourself, think
of yourself as another person—someone who would be the
ideal best friend. This distancing helps because we are conditioned
to
see what is wrong
with us rather than what is right. Eventually you will see
that this ideal best friend is you.
- YOU may think that in order to achieve something you have
to feel like doing it. In fact the reverse is true; it’s the doing
that gives you the feeling of accomplishment which will spur you
on to achieve your goals, even if you encounter setbacks along the
way. Make yourself understand that setbacks should be stepping stones
on the road to success. If you turn yourself into a doer then you’ll
get there in the end.
- USE your anger creatively .Writing, drawing, art, music, exercise
can all channel anger and turn it into a positive force.
Many successful sportsmen, businessmen and creative personalities
have turned anger
into energy and energy into success.
- LEARN to say no. Remember that you are a valuable person who has
a perfect right to act in your own best interests. Visualize someone
you admire standing up for themselves and saying NO over and over
again with confidence.
At first, others may be taken aback by your new assertiveness,
but is that so bad? Soon you’ll gain self-confidence
and respect.
Article © 2009-2010 Michael Cohen
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