Inspirational Tip: 4 Powerful Tips to Boost Positive Thinking

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. ~Winston Churchill

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found out that people who are optimistic tend to live longer lives, are less likely to get sick, and are more successful in their careers. They know that worrying is not only bad for the health; it could also affect relationships. Nobody wants to be around with a die-hard pessimist who keeps on whining about how bad life is. Unless your house got burnt down, or if you have nothing to eat, or if you broke your leg—everything else is just an inconvenience.

Remember though that everything doesn’t happen overnight. Building an optimistic attitude is just like building muscles. You cannot go to the gym and expect that you will grow a six-pack abs the next day. It takes time and persistence to achieve a better psychological and physical well-being. Here are some positive thinking tips to combat negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

Don’t make a big deal out of everything.

Do you over-react to any small setbacks like missing the bus, or mistakenly getting a regular drink instead of a diet coke? Do you tend to add extra drama or overthink situations? If these things sound familiar to you, you might be a pessimist. The best thing to do is to quickly stop and re-examine your thoughts. Ask yourself, “Will this matter to me three years from now or even three weeks from now?” This trick will help you recognize the issue from a distance and see how big it really is.

Avoid pessimistic people.

It is easier to do this if you don’t share a close bond with someone who is pessimistic. However, if he is your friend, or family member, it might not be as easy to avoid him. If your friend starts whining and being overly negative, avoid reacting. Let it go. Misery loves company, and pessimists will often try to drag you down with them so that they are not alone in their negativity. Limit your interaction with pessimistic people and spend more time with individuals who are upbeat and positive.

Stop living in the past.

What have passed is past. Everything is already done and there is nothing you can do to change it—unless you have a time machine hidden in your garage. We all have both good and bad memories from the past that we inevitably look back from time to time. Choosing to live in the past robs you of truly living. What you can do is to forgive past hurts and choose to move on. If you do find yourself reminiscing the old days, remind yourself that you’ve been hurt before. You are not going down that road again. If you can only live one moment at a time, you might as well make it the present.

The grass is greener.

“Comparison is a thief of joy.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

The tendency to compare ourselves to others is as human as any other emotion. Yes, it is completely normal, but it only steals joy in our lives. The thing is, we often compare the worst we know of ourselves to the best we imagine of others. All you will get from comparing yourself is more resentment and unhappiness. Instead of being intimately aware of your shortcomings, focus on your own success.  Whether you are a teacher, artist, writer, doctor, or a mother, you have exceptional skills that are unique from others. Lastly, if you do need to compare, compare with yourself. Commit to growing a little bit each day and strive to become the best version of yourself.

When your mind produces positive thoughts, you are better able to handle everyday difficulties in a more constructive way.