How to Develop Positive Thinking

How to Develop Positive Thinking

Not everyone is able to learn the value of optimism. There are people who tend to dwell in the thought that they will never be as optimistic as the others who have it. The truth is, even the most negative thinker can turn into someone positive. It is a matter of having the willingness to transform yourself.

Developing the habit of positive thinking does not happen overnight just as no one changes in a snap of a finger. It is a process that you need to regularly form and manifest in order to develop a habit, a pattern that you consistently do. There is no need to consult a professional to turn you into one. You can manage to develop your own thinking patterns with a few simple tips.

Avoid the Use of Negative Words and Terms

People can be consumed with so much negativity in their lives because of the negative things that surround them. One of which is the use of negative words or terms in their statements whether verbal or written. For example, always saying ‘No’ is a downright manifestation of pessimism. Why say ‘No’ when there are better ways of saying it? Other words are never, can’t, don’t, and the unconstructive adjectives you use when describing yourself or a situation. Here are some sample statements expressing negative thinking and alternative ways of delivering it in an affirmative manner:

Negative: I am a loser.

Positive: I will give it another try and do my best to win the next time around.

Negative: I will always be a failure.

Positive: There is always another chance to succeed, maybe not this time but soon.

Negative: I am not talented at all.

Positive: I can work at developing a certain skill and become good at it in the long run.

Negative: I have no luck in life. / I have no hope.

Positive: I might just need to be more hardworking so I can gain the good things in life.

Negative: I can’t do anything about it anymore.

Positive: There will always be a way to solve it.

Modeling after a Positive Individual

Think of someone who you know has a very positive outlook in life. Take this person as your example in developing a positive aura. Learn his or her ways of manifesting positive thinking and apply it on your own. Looking up to someone as a role model can easily guide you in molding your thinking patterns as well as your actions. This person may be your partner, officemate, mentor, boss, friend, or a successful individual.

Be More Proactive, Not Reactive

By being proactive means thinking of the brighter side of a negative or a challenging situation. This is what optimists generally do. It also means considering alternatives or what can be done rather than dwelling on what cannot be done. That way, you are shifting your mindset to a more positive outlook and you are teaching yourself how to inject hope to a rather unpromising or gloomy situation.