Positive thinking is sometimes regarded as vague or naive. People think that rose-colored glasses are put on and that less beautiful aspects of life are ignored or waved away.
Nothing could be further from the truth. A positive attitude to life makes a difference in everything we undertake, everything that happens to us, and everyone we come into contact with.
Think & Grow Rich (original 1937) ebook
What is positive thinking?
Positive thinking means we view events and situations from a positive point of view. It does not mean that we ignore the negative, but it does mean that we try to make the best of difficult circumstances. In our relationships, we always try to discover the good in the people we come into contact with. Our self-reflection also happens in a positive and self-supporting way, where we recognize ourselves and our qualities without judging them.
Why is positive thinking so important?
Our thoughts influence our perception. Have you experienced it yet? You’re considering buying a new car, and suddenly you see the model of your dreams popping up everywhere. Or for the ladies who are thinking about pregnancy: how many round bellies do you suddenly encounter? Our consciousness fills with what our attention is focused on. If you always look at yourself and your environment negatively, you will ultimately only see the negative. The remarkable thing is that this also attracts events. For example, as a dancer, I have learned not to overthink about what can go wrong during a performance, or what is guaranteed to go wrong!
Moreover, enjoying the moment is impossible when we think negatively because our thoughts are in the past or the future. We then worry about what has happened, or we worry about what could happen. Mindfulness (being in the here and now) and positive thinking are therefore at odds with each other.
Positive thinking also ensures that we remain motivated in pursuit of a goal (exercise more, eat healthier, etc.). We see the progress we are making, and this encourages us to continue! We are also better off letting go of difficult moments. In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, an optimistic attitude is one of the most important steps.
Research shows that positive thinking contributes to good health in several ways:
- higher life expectancy
- less stress
- better mental resilience and psychological health
- better physical resistance
- better sense of physical well-being
- lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Dr. Joe Vitale’s Attract Money Now Meditation
How do you get started? Positive thinking in 5 steps
- Become aware of your thoughts Everyone has an internal monologue. Listen to what thoughts come to mind. You don’t have to go into it specifically, just state what you think.
- Consider whether those thoughts are positive or negative Are you gentle with yourself when you are tired or have made a mistake? Or are you more likely to hear strict and judgmental thoughts? Listen and think about how it makes you feel.
Try to do this at different times: alone or in company, during beautiful but also during difficult moments. It is important to view these thoughts neutrally. You can imagine that your thoughts are like clouds that you see floating by: you look at them from a distance, without judging them.
- Pick out the negative thoughts and reflect on them – still from a distance – for a moment Suppose you think that you are doing everything wrong. Then ask yourself whether that is really the case. Are you, always, doing everything wrong?
Question the thought in a neutral, non-judgmental way. If this is difficult for you, you can ask for help from a counselor or a coach.
- Transform your negative thoughts After step 3, you will notice that your negative thoughts are often unfounded. Maybe you’re worried about something. Maybe you feel insecure. You may notice that you set the bar very high for yourself. With this realization, you can transform the negative thoughts into a neutral or positive thoughts.
Some examples are: “I can’t do this” can become: “I didn’t succeed at this now, but what can I do better next time?” “This is too hard” can become: “This will take some time and effort, but it will work out in the end” “I made a mistake, so stupid of me!” can become: “Everyone makes mistakes and that’s okay. What can I learn from this?”
So positive thinking is not about ignoring the negative. You observe it and try to look at it rationally, without passing judgment on anything or anyone. Not even about yourself.
- Repeat! The more you practice these steps, the easier they will become. After a while, it happens naturally. The way we think is a habit, and changing habits takes time. Give yourself that time too, and be proud of yourself!