How many times has life tripped you up at the worst of times? Even in the best of times, life has a way of sticking its foot out to see if you’re paying attention. If not, you find yourself flat on your face with the wind knocked out of you. We’ve all been there!
However, how can you separate yourself from those who don’t see the speed bump coming and from those who remain sidelined because something is preventing them from getting back up? By cultivating a tenacious fighting spirit that is driven by a Positive Mental Attitude.
Here are 3 key drivers to help you instil a Positive Mental Attitude:
Driver #1 – Accept the Situation as it is at Ground Zero
The first step to taking on any challenge is acceptance. Accepting that there is in fact a situation at hand allows you to take it on with vigor. Resisting only creates a greater pull force rather than a push momentum that you will need to move that Big Rock which may be the key cause of your suffering. To begin, take a deep breath, accept what is and ask yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?”. Write your worst-case scenario down. Read it back and you will notice that often, even the worst-case scenario isn’t catastrophic. And even if it is, worrying about it isn’t going to drive change. On the other hand, exploring the scenario and planning for a resolution is much more effective. Even if it just helps to tone down the intensity of your stress because your brain is in action mode.
Driver #2 – Address, Don’t Ignore Problems
To develop and maintain a Positive Mental Attitude you can’t pretend everything is, or will be, sunshine and rainbows. I know this may seem antithetical to the idea of a ‘positive’ mental attitude, but reality trumps all. And the reality is that life is full of ups and downs and finding silver linings in the most hopeless situations will help you convert setbacks into opportunities for growth. This calls for making the most of any situation by:
- Seeing the best possible outcome
- Recognizing the best qualities in others around that situation, and
- Viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light
As you do this you will increase the level of affirmative control on your overall mindset, especially in the face of adversity. A Positive Mental Attitude is the key to turning lemons into lemonade. This ability to turn minuses to pluses slowly and surely becomes a way of life that decisively and favourably impacts life outcomes.
Driver #3 – Take Concrete Steps to Turn Negatives into Positives
Step 1 – Minimize the Impact
Dwelling on the worst case can be paralyzing. However, assessing it can be a helpful tool for identifying potential drawbacks and to brainstorm solutions. This may involve:
- Creating a roadmap
- Acquiring resources, and/or
- Improving communications
Step 2 – Take Baby Steps for Big Results
Don’t try to do it all at once. Break down your tasks so you can better visualize what you will need to complete each and all of your responsibilities. Breaking things down can increase efficiency and productivity. When broken down, the situation will cease to look too big and overwhelming because you now have small, achievable actions you can take every day. The smallest baby steps have the ability to bring big results and move you that much closer to overcoming your setback.
Step 3 – Practice the Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful tool for keeping you focused on the positives. Keep a gratitude journal to record things you’re thankful for – big or small. Expressing gratitude daily can help create an antidote for your dire situation.
Step 4 – Be Open to Extending Self-Compassion
You are your best advocate and best resource. Hence, remember to always be kind to yourself. Don’t be afraid to have conversations with yourself as if you were talking to your best friend during their difficult times. Challenge negative self-talk with positive affirmations like, “I am creative and can think of solutions for every obstacle I encounter” or “I can do anything I put my mind to”. This will help influence your subconscious mind to focus on your best strengths and abilities to orient you towards a road to success.
Step 5 – Leverage The Power of Meditation
Meditation helps train your mind to manage negative thoughts and emotions. Daily practice can help you reorient your brain to reduce stress, boost emotional regulation, and increase self-awareness.
Summary:
Embrace the struggle after every fall and pursue resolutions with a Positive Mental Attitude. To recap, you can shift your perspective; gain control; build momentum and drive affirmative action by:
- Accepting the tribulation (not denying)
- Acknowledging the situation in its entirety (not ignoring)
- Creating a roadmap of concrete positive steps (not dwelling on negatives)
Having a Positive Mental Attitude isn’t about ignoring problems, but rather seeing them as stepping stones to a more resilient and capable YOU. Remember, it’s okay to feel down sometimes, but building a steadfast mindset by choosing positivity, resilience, and gratitude will ultimately lead you to a life of success built on significance.
If you’re ready to turn setbacks into advancements, take your first step today! And with every step you take, feel free to share your experiences and results with us in the comments section below.