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7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking
By Todd | October 30, 2007
Somehow it has become ingrained in us that negative thoughts are more realistic than positive thoughts. This is pure madness, especially since over 90% of what we worry about never happens!
We have to get our heads around the fact that being positive is actually far more realistic than being negative. This is such a difficult concept for most of us to grasp, and we have to purposefully work hard to re-train the brain to think more positively.
Think of it this way: if your body became out of shape you would probably view physical exercise as an effective way to improve its condition—and we must begin looking at the health of our mind in the same way.
Here are 7 valuable exercises that you can start implementing right now to re-train your thinking:
Use Verbal Affirmations EVERY Day
An affirmation is a positive statement that something is already happening, and is a very powerful tool you can use to shift your internal dialogue from negative to positive. Come up with a few statements like “I am creating a beautiful day” or “money and success flow to me” and spend 10 minutes every morning (and every night for extra credit) saying them aloud.
Come up with statements that make the most sense for you, and be sure to state them in the present tense, and in a positive form. This is self-talk in its highest sense, and can be very effective.
Use Positive Language
When it comes to the language we use, world-renowned author and lecturer Dr. Susan Jeffers says: “It doesn’t matter if we believe the words or not, the mere uttering of them makes the subconscious mind believe them to be true. It is as though the subconscious mind doesn’t know what is true or false, it doesn’t judge, it only reacts to the language that is being fed”.
Many researchers have shown this sentiment to be quite valid, and we must intentionally start using more positive language to shape the worldview of our subconscious mind.
Create a Vision Board
A vision board is the physical manifestation of the life you want to be leading. Find images of the house you desire, the places you want to travel, and the job you crave to work and tack them to a corkboard! Be creative and place words and images that are accurate expressions of your inner-most desires.
Constantly add to your vision board put it somewhere you can see it several times a day– even spend a few moments visualizing what it would be like to be living in this life you created. Isn’t this a better way to spend time than in your usual stress mode?
Surround Yourself with Positive Images
They could be famous quotes, inspiring pictures, or even your affirmations that you write out on note cards. The point is to always have physical reminders of things you deem positive close by. Print these items out and place them by your desk, near your bed, and in the car! When you get stressed out, give a glance to them and you will begin to get perspective on things and your mind will re-focus!
Say “Thank You” 50 Times a Day
Every night before you go to bed, spend 5 minutes saying thank you out loud for the experiences you had that day: the people you interacted with, the work you accomplished, the food you ate, etc…As you do this, really try and feel the gratitude emanate from within.
You can also say thank you 50 times in the morning and get yourself in an extremely grateful mindset for the coming day. These are wonderful practices for becoming more positive!
Listen to Inspirational Talks and Music in the Car
The car is the perfect place to flex your muscle of positive thought! Because many of us spend a lot of time driving, make an effort to listen to music that inspires you and makes you feel good. Purchase motivational personal development CD’s and play them while driving.
I mentioned Dr. Susan Jeffers above, and I recently listened to her CD “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” in my car three times in a row! Have your car become an oasis of learning and start using the time constructively.
Use Positive Thinking While Exercising
If you consistently exercise, this is an excellent time to practice your positive thinking. Say to yourself over and over again: “I am strong and durable” or “I am fast and powerful” and notice the immediate affect these utterances have on your workout. It is absolutely incredible how just saying these words increases your stamina and strength.
LASTLY, I was tagged by my good friend Peter over at I Will Change Your Life for a writing challenge that entails us bloggers to write about something that we usually feel negative, and submit a post about how we can create a positive spin on it! Well Peter, I hope this article suffices for that project :) I tag the following excellent bloggers for this challenge:
Alex at Practical Personal Development
Tina at Think Simple Now
Zorka at Essential Life Skills
By implementing the recommendations in this article, you can literally begin to out talk your chatterbox! With practice, negative patterns of thought will transform to consistent positive thinking.
Even though you may begin to feel better quickly, positive thinking is a life-long pursuit and it is necessary to dedicate to this ”way of life” over the long-haul. Do not get complacent, or the negative chatter box will re-appear…and you don’t want that!
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Topics: Perspective, Productivity, Other Personal Growth, Health |
Some great pointers!
Posted by: ZHereford on October 30th, 2007 at 10:03 amI especially like the vision board idea.
Todd you did a great job of sneaking the cow into your article… well done!
Posted by: Peter on October 30th, 2007 at 10:36 am[…] 7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking - We The Change […]
Posted by: I will change your life . com » Blog Archive » The Think Different Challenge on October 30th, 2007 at 11:40 amHi Todd,
Thanks for linking me. Much appreciated it.
This is a very well written article. I can’t wait to read more of your articles.
On a related article, here’s 6 Ways to be Positive in Any Situation
Love & Gratitude,
Posted by: Tina Su - Think Simple. Be Decisive. on October 30th, 2007 at 1:04 pmTina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
Productivity, Motivation & Happiness
Unique tips. Thanks Todd, for another insightful article. Thank you!
Posted by: Ian on October 30th, 2007 at 3:09 pmThanks for the great comments guys!
Posted by: Todd on October 30th, 2007 at 5:26 pmGood stuff. I’ll actually try these ideas out tonight. Great blog.
Posted by: Steve on October 30th, 2007 at 7:53 pmThanks Steven, please let me know how it goes! Although it may take more than one night to see results
Posted by: Todd on October 30th, 2007 at 11:39 pm[…] Todd Goldfarb at We The Change thinks that “We have to get our heads around the fact that being positive is actually far more realistic than being negative.” I couldn’t agree with him more. Read about his 7 Effective Ways To Implement Positive Thinking. […]
Posted by: Sunday’s Speedlinking 11-04-07 | Alex Shalman . com on November 4th, 2007 at 6:02 amThanks Todd for such a GREAT article. I used a lot of these when I was in my healing process and they do work WONDERS! I FINALLY put together my vision board this past weekend and can’t wait to see the things on it manifest! Thank you for the reminders of the little things we can do that make a BIG difference! Gratefully, Jenny
Posted by: Jennifer Mannion on November 5th, 2007 at 8:22 amExcellent article! It can be a challenge to go from an inherent knowledge that positive thinking is good for you to discovering practical ways to maintain positive thinking. Your suggestions are clear, practical and well written. Thank you!
Posted by: Danny on November 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pmThanks so much for the kind words Danny! Much appreciated and I will be sure to check out your site when I get the chance…
Posted by: Todd on November 5th, 2007 at 5:08 pmThe best part of this article came at the beginning when you mentioned about 90% of what we worry about never happens.
Posted by: Todd Schafer on December 8th, 2007 at 4:02 amProves definitively and for all time that positive thinking as actually more realistic than negative thinking is.
Thanks Todd– that really is an interesting point, and if you stop and think about it you realize how true it is! Thanks again,
Posted by: Todd on December 8th, 2007 at 11:31 amTodd
[…] Why Phytonutrients May Hold KEY to Preventing Disease6 Top Personal Development Activities25 Fun Ways to Pamper Your Body and Increase Vitality!How to Meditate: A Beginner’s Guide7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking […]
Posted by: Making a Habit of Thinking Happily on December 21st, 2007 at 10:16 amThanks for the tips, I wrote it down and will definitely start to do it, My goal for 2008 is to change the way I think, and prosper!
Thanks again, keep ‘em coming!
Posted by: Migo on December 23rd, 2007 at 4:22 am[…] and do-able for anyone that sets their mind to it. To create this habit, please check out 7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking and How to Break Out of Bad Habits Using […]
Posted by: 8 Critical Lessons Learned From Starting a Blog on January 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am[…] athletes like these is because they showcase something very rare—a potent single-mindedness which blocks out all negative imagery. Their ability to focus on the task at hand, and be in the present moment, is what draws us […]
Posted by: Why We Love Watching Pro Sports! on January 24th, 2008 at 9:39 am“This is pure madness, especially since over 90% of what we worry about never happens!”
What is pure madness is you assigning an empiric percentage measurement to something that is IMPOSSIBLE to measure!! Who came up with this 90% ?! It kind of strips the credibility from your piece, I’m sorry, and I actually agree with your premise.
Posted by: JP on February 20th, 2008 at 1:09 amHey JP– Actually, I got that number from a very credible source: Dr. Susan Jeffers. She is a clinical physician (PhD), best selling author and motivational speaker regarding fear. She has studied endemic and personal fears for over 30 years…and the 90% number comes from actual scientific studies….for what its worth,
Posted by: Todd on February 24th, 2008 at 2:20 pmTodd
I enjoyed reading your quick tips on how to be positive. I like the vision board idea! We are such visual creatures!
We forget so often to reword our inner dialogue. It is amazing the negative self-talk we speak to ourselves. I added this to my Favorites on my computer. Thank you so much!
Miriam Q.
Posted by: Miriam Quevedo on September 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm[…] 7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking - We The Change […]
Posted by: The Think Different Challenge on February 22nd, 2009 at 11:56 pmi’ve already tried them.they don’t have any effect on me!!!
Posted by: chara on January 21st, 2010 at 1:47 pmdo you think i should try again?
Posted by: chara on January 21st, 2010 at 1:49 pm