It’s a new financial year. The first buds of spring are with us, so I’m ready to wake from winter’s coma and leap into the warm, new season. And what better way to start than to re-evaluate my thinking, to sweep away the cobwebs of old habits and embrace a more positive outlook. Not that I want to see the world through unrealistic rose-coloured glasses, it’s just that I know positive people are healthier, more confident, live longer and get more done. So here’s my five-step plan to boost the ole’ attitude….
Say “No” to Bad News I feel duped. Somewhere along the line, someone decided knowing about all the crime, death and disaster in the world makes us “well-informed”. Well, I’ve got news for you — the media feeds us gruesome stories because they sell. That’s right, news is a business. Gore is strangely tantalising, and the more we tune in, the more money the media can charge advertisers. So tune out; say “no” to bad news and fill your mind with uplifting stuff instead. Get It In Perspective It’s easy to dwell on worries and mistakes, so much so that we blow them out of proportion. Get things in perspective by asking yourself a series of questions:
- Will it matter next week?
- Will it matter next year?
- Will it matter in 20 years?
- Will it matter at the end of my life?
Your answers will help you see the problem as it really is and deal with it effectively. Superwoman is a Fictional Character She’s has 2.1 children, yet, looks hot in a bikini. Her career has shattered the glass ceiling, and the house is spotless. She can wear white (even when the kids are teething) and she’s eating spaghetti. Meet superwoman. Don’t you want to be like her? Don’t you secretly hate her? Thank goodness she only exists in comics strips, movies and advertisements. That’s right, she’s a fictional character! So stop putting pressure on yourself, and tell that critical inner voice to shut-up. Remember that you have value … simply because you exist. And nothing you can do or say can change the truth that you are special. Yes, people are imperfect and make mistakes. But it’s through these things that we grow and experience fully what it means to be human. Perk Yourself Up Is life getting you down? Here are a few practical ideas to cheer you up:
- Write a list of everything you love, from the way the dog waggles its tail when you walk through the door to how beach sands feels under your feet.
- Hang out with positive people — it’s contagious.
- Question your thinking. What are the alternatives to the way you’re seeing or responding to an issue?
- Smile at or compliment people as much as possible today. The joy of giving will surprise you.
- Talk to a counsellor if past experiences are troubling you. Sometimes, the act of telling your life story out loud is enough for healing.
Down is Not a Dirty Word Finally, it’s okay to feel down sometimes. As King Solomon said (and The Byrds paraphrased), “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. The fact is that you simply would not be a flesh-and-blood person if you didn’t experience the full gamut of human emotions. The point is not what you feel, but how you deal with it. Remember that you have a choice. If the so-called “negative” emotions are lingering far too long, develop a plan, talk to someone you trust or see a doctor.
