Being optimistic is like an internal switch you can turn on and off yourself. You decide when you want to be optimistic and when not to. Learn how to do so here.
Last week I gave you 5 great reasons to be optimistic; this week I’m giving you a few ideas so you can become optimistic in no time.
It’s not easy to switch from being a pessimist most of your life to now being an optimistic. But it’s certainly possible.
You only have to pay attention to the kind of thoughts you’re allowing yourself to come to your mind because those are the ones that help you stay where you are (optimist or pessimist) or help you move over to where you want to be (optimist or pessimist).
Don’t wait for some thing, event, or circumstance to happen for you to be optimistic. Instead, choose to be optimistic.
You only have to pay attention to the kind of thoughts you’re allowing yourself to come to your mind because those are the ones that help you stay where you are (optimist or pessimist) or help you move over to where you want to be (optimist or pessimist).
Don’t wait for some thing, event, or circumstance to happen for you to be optimistic. Instead, choose to be optimistic.
You cannot feel good and bad at the same time
A few months ago I was doing my daughter’s hair while I was feeling worried and pessimistic. As I was thinking that, more thoughts of the same came to me to keep me feeling that way.
Then my daughter asked me a question that is totally out of the train of thought I had. I don’t even remember now what she asked me, but it was one of those wondering questions that children have. Well, that question distracted me from what I was giving my attention to.
Then I remember saying to my daughter, “don’t talk to me, baby, because then I cannot concentrate in… worry-i-n-g. Wait a minute! What am I saying?” At this very moment I consciously realized something that we all for sure know but that we need to experience it to understand it so clearly.
This moment was when I clearly realized that you cannot worry and be happy at the same time. You cannot be doubtful and hopeful at the same time. You cannot be pessimistic and optimistic at the same time.
Then my daughter asked me a question that is totally out of the train of thought I had. I don’t even remember now what she asked me, but it was one of those wondering questions that children have. Well, that question distracted me from what I was giving my attention to.
Then I remember saying to my daughter, “don’t talk to me, baby, because then I cannot concentrate in… worry-i-n-g. Wait a minute! What am I saying?” At this very moment I consciously realized something that we all for sure know but that we need to experience it to understand it so clearly.
This moment was when I clearly realized that you cannot worry and be happy at the same time. You cannot be doubtful and hopeful at the same time. You cannot be pessimistic and optimistic at the same time.
Use your free will to choose
What you, and I, and everyone need to do here is to exercise our God given FREE WILL. That’s right! Use your free will to choose how you want to feel. It’s that simple.
You can always choose how you want to feel based on what you’re giving your attention to. Someone said that what you focus on… expands, or what you give your attention to… grows, well it is true.
So, how do you want to feel? Do you want to feel worry or happiness? Do you want to feel doubtful or hopeful? Do you want to feel pessimistic or optimistic? Pick your choice and do everything you can possibly can to feel that way.
You can always choose how you want to feel based on what you’re giving your attention to. Someone said that what you focus on… expands, or what you give your attention to… grows, well it is true.
So, how do you want to feel? Do you want to feel worry or happiness? Do you want to feel doubtful or hopeful? Do you want to feel pessimistic or optimistic? Pick your choice and do everything you can possibly can to feel that way.
You’re always choosing
Feeling pessimist is not bad. It just makes life neither pleasant nor enjoyable for you and/or for those around you.
Feeling pessimist or optimist is an emotional state. And, as I explained above, you can always choose how you want to feel based on what you’re giving your attention to.
So the simplest way to be and remain optimistic is to pay attention to what you’re paying attention to, to choose to be optimistic, and to do everything you can possibly can to remain that way.
Feeling pessimist or optimist is an emotional state. And, as I explained above, you can always choose how you want to feel based on what you’re giving your attention to.
So the simplest way to be and remain optimistic is to pay attention to what you’re paying attention to, to choose to be optimistic, and to do everything you can possibly can to remain that way.
Ideas to be optimistic
Do you need help to feel optimistic? Here are a few ideas that can help you. Keep it handy for those times when you feel pessimistic and just cannot think of ideas of how to go back to feeling optimistic.
Be patient with yourself. Changing your mental attitude takes time. Don’t get angry or lose hope just because at moments you feel pessimistic. Instead acknowledge how you feel and do all you can to return to feeling good and optimistic.
- Look for the good and positive in every situation
- Speak success
- Use your thinking time to create something good
- Let go of things that drain your energy
- Expect things to work out for you
- Focus on the present
- Be grateful that nothing is permanent
- Think as may positive thoughts as you can in 20 seconds
- Find positive friends
- Stay away from the “all or nothing” thinking
- Become a flexible perfectionist
- Plan for down days
- Rest as much as you need to
- Stay away from negative people and situations
- Keep an optimistic monologue
- Don’t ruminate in pessimistic thoughts
- Appreciate the good in your life
- Indulge your passions
- Work on the things you can control
- Avoid comparing yourself to others
- Give others positive feedback
- Give yourself positive feedback
- Improve your perspective
- Smile often even if forced
- Take care of your appearance
- Do activities that make you smile or laugh
- Count your blessings
- Find the good in the world
- Don’t try to be happy, just try to feel good
- Make friends with an optimistic
- Practice, practice and practice
Be patient with yourself. Changing your mental attitude takes time. Don’t get angry or lose hope just because at moments you feel pessimistic. Instead acknowledge how you feel and do all you can to return to feeling good and optimistic.
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. –Harry Truman
Now you know that you have the free will to choose, that you don’t have to wait for anything outside of yourself to be optimistic, that your thoughts help you feel better, and that you’re the only one in control of how you feel. This means you’re ready to begin changing and improving your life today.
What other ideas do you have that help you stay or return to feeling optimistic? Please share it with us in the comments below.
What other ideas do you have that help you stay or return to feeling optimistic? Please share it with us in the comments below.
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Related Posts:
How The Law Of Attraction Works
5 Great Reasons To Be Optimistic
Who Are You Listening To, And Why You Should Stop
Both Suffering and Joy Begin In the Mind
How The Law Of Attraction Works
5 Great Reasons To Be Optimistic
Who Are You Listening To, And Why You Should Stop
Both Suffering and Joy Begin In the Mind
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