When we have challenges and setbacks, it’s easy to dwell on the negative aspects. What happened, what went wrong and what didn’t happen? In reality, this only creates more of the same. Everything in life is made up of energy, and energy can only be transformed, or transferred. So, the best way to keep out of too much negativity is to have a set of strategies and tools to transform the energy of stress or negativity into something else; calmness, neutrality, or better still, positive energy.
Here are seven steps to help you do exactly this.
- Everything in life has a polar opposite. In the midst of challenges, instead of getting stuck in the negative energy of the situation, replaying the story over and over again, practice becoming aware when you fall into this trap. Take a few moments to pause, and equip yourself with some different questions. Language makes up thoughts and fuels your emotions. When you change your language, you can change the way you feel. Here is an example of a better question to ask yourself: – ‘How many solutions can I find to this situation?’ ‘What other possibilities does this situation open up for me?’ Be creative. Questions give your mind something else to focus on and ultimately you will feel better because you are thinking proactively rather than ‘sticking’ in your negative pattern. Write down your solutions and when you find a feasible one, take immediate action.
- Choose the people you hang out with carefully. There is enough negativity in the world without absorbing negativity from your friends, colleagues or family who aren’t 100% behind your journey, or for whatever reason, criticise or regularly ‘dump’ on you.
- Be mindful of your language, especially when around other people. It’s easy to fall into the drama and story of someone else’s problems, so choose to maintain an upbeat and positive outlook. Practice the technique in Step 1, and challenge yourself to find a different perspective to the current drama that is being discussed.
- Building a positive attitude is a form of self-control, and self-control is like a muscle. The more you practice using it, the easier it becomes and the better your overall attitude. A positive attitude opens more doors than a negative one.
- Remember that most of your behaviours and actions, which include your patterns of thinking and speech, are habits. When you work on fixing your habitual tendencies you can change your circumstances and create a life by your design.
- Give yourself the gift of breathing consciously and focusing fully on your breath, to keep yourself calm on the inside. By doing this you will find it easier to manage your stress and stay positive and aware. Simply stop for a couple of minutes at regular intervals throughout the day. Your health and well-being will be eternally grateful.
- As Aristotle says: – ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.’ So, make a decision now to work hard to build positive habits in every area of your life. They will show up in your actions and behaviours, which create your results in your life. A great way to keeping negativity at bay!
Mandy Napier BSC, dubbed ‘The Mindset Alchemist,’ is a Mind and Performance Coach, Author, Speaker and a Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). Having represented Australia in ultra distance triathlon and competed in the gruelling Hawaiian Ironman, Mandy Napier knows first hand what it takes to overcome mental barriers and achieve success. Focusing on providing powerful mind tools with effective action strategies, she has helped hundreds of people harness the awesome power of their minds and transform their lives for good. She is the author of ‘Creating Healthy Life Habits’ and offers a unique 90 day online coaching program, ‘New Mind New You New Life.’ Her personal motto is ‘never, ever, ever give up on yourself,’ and believes when we become the conscious creator of our lives, we can live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives. Subscribe to her free ‘Mindset Matters’ for powerful mind tools and action strategies at www.mindsetforsuccess.com.au
