How to Stay Positive in Spite of the Negativity Around You ~
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so positive. Now allow me to clear up some misconceptions you might have based on that last statement. I am not one of those folks that walk around with what is commonly referred to as a career politician's smile painted across my face.
Although I do believe whole-heartedly in the power that a simple smile can impart to another. No, you see, just like everyone else, no matter how positive person I am, or how positively Iattempt to view things, I still have my down moments.
I like to call it being human :-)
The very fact that we are just that, human, allows us all to have down times. The difference lies in how quickly we choose to get over those things that are holding us back, or making us feel less than our personal best. And that, I believe, is the key ~ being able to get past the downtimes in one's life as quickly as possible and getting back on with being your best. Moving forward in continuous improvement.
Remember, self-improvement is a hands-on project. That is to say, that without ongoing implementation of the new ideas we learn, try as we might, we aren't going to miraculously wake up one day changed people. No, we've got to act on those ideas and bits of advice we learn.
Now, if I might elaborate a bit on motivation, inspiration, and how I believe you can better stay on the path to a more positive life. I'll use the saying of Zig Ziglar; he has such a simple - yet powerful way of getting his point across...
Zig says, "People often say motivation doesn't last, well that may be true, but neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it every day."
Now if that's not an 'ah ha' moment for you, I'd like to ask you to really take in the simplicity of Mr. Ziglar's words. You see, that is the 'gasoline' that has fueled my own journey. It's how I stay positive in a world that others might tend to view as negative. It's how I tune out most of the negative things around me, and tune into what's positive.
But enough about me... More importantly, understanding the need to attend to motivation and inspiration on a daily basis can lead a more positive daily life. And as you can see, it's not really all that complex is it?
Let's look at it another way. You wake up and you pretty much have a clean slate. In most cases your day is fresh - neither overly negative nor positive. That being the case - then wouldn't it stand to reason that importing positive thoughts (i.e. reading, listening, reciting, meditating, viewing, etc.) first thing in the morning, and throughout your day could do wonders towards reprogramming the way in which you see your world?
So here's what I'll ask you to do....
Copy the following quote again on a 3x5 index card - or somewhere you can keep it handy:
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily" - Zig Ziglar.
Read that several times a day. Also, choose to read from an inspirational book or listen to inspirational songs at least three times a day. In addition, immediately balance any negative experiences with something positive.
Given the events of most people's days this isn't always feasible, but this approach can pay dividends and is worth attempting. Keep in mind that no matter how great any idea or advice is, unless YOU choose to implement it and give it a fair shot to work in your life you're not going to get results.
Let me say that again - because it's that important!
YOU have to be a part of your own success journey. If you want to see real lasting change for the better in your life, you've got to be the biggest part of the process.
So simply knowing that you can offset your negative feelings by introducing positive thoughts into your mind simply isn't enough. No - you've got to actually do it - it's going to mean keeping that inspirational book, or tape handy to refer to when you need to. It might mean stopping what you're doing at the moment or even scheduling yourself some time to take in positive or motivational material.
Like dieting or exercising, developing a positive mental attitude is a choice. It requires nurturing. It's not always immediate, but if you will work on it, and cultivate it you will see results. And those around you will as well.
To Your Success, Josh Hinds
(c) 2004 Josh Hinds of http://GetMotivation.com specializes in helping people to achieve maximum success and live the life of their dreams -- receive his motivation newsletter by going to http://GetMotivation.com/ezines.html. Josh is also the co-founder of http://AudioMotivation.com.
