A positive Transformation requires positive input. Negativity is anathema to positive change. No one would begin a race while tethered to the ground. Negative attitudes, beliefs, outlooks, forecasting, viewpoints, approaches and positions are just binders that keep us stuck. Whether they come from within or from outside ourselves makes no difference.
Step #11 of Transformation is an absolute requirement for developing escape velocity for needed change – I am going to become a more positive person by surrounding myself with positive and uplifting people, exploring and employing resources for positive thinking and behaviors while avoiding negativity like the plague.
Avoid negativity like the plague because it will poison the well of your soul. This must begin within yourself first. This may take some getting use to if you have trained your brain to think or react negatively to any given situation.
Like any bad behavior which has been learned, negative thinking can be un-learned. It doesn’t just happen by trying to think positively all of the time. It comes from learning to think positively and that takes practive. Here are three steps to help you accomplish this.
1) Begin to read positive, uplifting, inspiring, challenging and affirming material. In whatever your area of interest, find great books and read them! Go to the websites of people you admire and search their reading list. Most will have one and you will begin to notice the wells from which they draw their experience, strength and hope. Study their sources of inspiration
If you live your life according to what is presented in the popular press we are supposed to be afraid of something, in dire need of something, or eminently dying from something 24/7. Mainstream news is all about what is deficient, broken or missing. If there is an occasional feel good story it is always used as a hook to get you to watch the gloom and doom forecast and reporting
The internet has greatly expanded out news source horizons. Look for blogs, websites and podcasts full of positive information that will help inspire, motivate and crystallize you to your full potential. Everything else is a distraction and a waste of your time.
2) Surround your self with like-minded, purpose driven, passionate people. Avoid negative individuals wherever possible or at least learn how to filter out their negativity. If some one offers you a negative sentiment or observation don’t waste energy disagreeing with it. Rather, try to rev up your positivity generator by countering their statement with a positive spin or comment.
3) Challenge and then change your attitude. Look for the positive in everything. Notice positive occurrences throughout your day and begin to comment on them out loud to others.
Try to go an entire day without making negative or derogatory statements. This does not mean that your are to stop giving or receiving constructive criticism. Honest constructive criticism is positive, good and helpful, not at all negative. You know the difference.
These steps will help you to regain control over any pessimism and cynicism that may be dogging you. Or, maybe your positivity generator is just in need of a tune-up rather than an overhaul. Either way, taking ownership of this step of Transformation is sure to brighten your pathway to the future you wish to create for yourself.
Are you a positive person? What additional steps can you think of to increase and accentuate the positive in your life? Please return here soon for another part in this series on Transformation.