I think when times get tough, it’s so easy to only see the negatives — but I am coming to realize, you can always find something positive, in every situation. So my New Year’s Resolution is to learn how to find something good, even in something that ultimately seems so horrible and devastating at the time. And now I think I have to add to stop being such a procrastinator (since I wrote this on the 1st and forgot to post it!).
Here are some ways to keep positive in ’09:
1. Spend time with those people that energize you and avoid those that bring you down.
2. Learn from, and get inspired by, successful people.
3. Focus on “what you can learn from this experience”, rather than “why does these things always happen to me.”
4. Dream big – get excited about possibilities!
5. Change the stuff you can and let go of the stuff you have no control over.
6. Dedicate time every day to ‘switching off’ and having fun for fun’s sake. Strategic silliness.
7. Express yourself creatively – whether it be writing, drawing, home improvement projects, etc.
8. Invest time into others. People who are completely self-focused tend to have more downs than ups.
9. Take stock of your life and consciously appreciate everything in it and about it.
10. Set high standards for yourself. Know that persistence pays off in the long run, and if you put your mind to what you want to accomplish, you will succeed.
11. Don’t give up just because you encounter roadblocks. Explore and push the boundaries of your potential.
12. Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Go for a walk, enjoy nature, don’t forget to take the time to experience.
13. Don’t beat yourself up. No more feeling sorry for yourself and indulging in ‘pity parties’.
14. Take some time for quiet time alone. No phone, no internet, no TV, no people, no noise, no distractions.
15. Constantly setting goals. Big and small.
A shout out to Craig Harper for sharing his tips for staying positive in this crazy world. You can read his full post here.
