What we think affects our lives in many ways. We are told that negative thoughts and feelings bring about negative results, and positive thoughts can bring positive change. Intuitively, we know this is true, but for some, learning to create and maintain positive thoughts is a difficult task wrought with obstacles that have been ingrained from years of negative thinking. Whether you think positive thoughts or negative thoughts about the world around you is within your control, but it does require some effort and attention to your own thought process.
Instructions
1. Accept the fact that you are in control of your own thoughts. Until you realize and accept this, you will be powerless to change your own thought process and make positive changes. Do not be misled into thinking that if you change your thoughts for a day or week that your life circumstances will suddenly change. Although you may see a gradual change in your circumstances, the important thing is refocusing how you view them.
2. Learn to recognize negative thoughts and stop them in their tracks. This applies to your thoughts about others as well as your thoughts about yourself. Keep a journal and write down each you have during the day. Make a note of the circumstances and what triggered the thought. Don't worry that your list fills up quickly; this is normal for most of us. Just keep jotting down those negative thoughts. This will give you a good indication of just how many negative thoughts pass through your mind every day.
3. Make a decision to stop negative thoughts at the moment they begin. Do not allow yourself the luxury of completing the thought. Replace a negative thought immediately with a positive one. Change "I can't do this" to "Hey I'm learning, and I'll get the hang of this in no time." You will be surprised how easy it is to replace a negative thought with a positive one once you have practiced for a few days.
4. Surround yourself with positive and inspiring quotes. Post them in places where you will see them throughout the day. Add a quote of the day to your bathroom mirror to remind yourself to think positive thoughts. Select posters, screen savers or notepads that have positive verses that inspire you.
5. Don't give up. It may take a while to get into the habit of thinking positive thoughts. Avoid the temptation to revert to old habits when things aren't going well. Keep working at changing your thoughts, and even if the circumstances of your life do not change, how you look at them will, paving the way for you to seize new opportunities and make positive changes to your life.
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