4 Strategies For Making Positive Thinking A Powerful Force In YOUR Life!

As you read what I have to share today you may find yourself thinking: this is just way too simple. And yet, I´ve repeatedly practiced each one of these strategies in my life and found them to be not just easy but also highly effective!

I´m pretty sure the whole concept of positive thinking as a doorway to greater happiness, health and prosperity isn´t new to you. In fact, you may believe in it whole-heartedly - well, as long as things are going well in your life, at least.

If you´re anything like me, holding on to a positive mindset when your world is threatening to fall apart may not be nearly as easy to do.

Still, the self-help gurus are right about one thing. Your thoughts define your actions and your actions define your life. That´s why it´s so important to do what you must to take control of your thoughts and use them to help guideyourself down life´s path to where you want to go.

If you´re ready to set out on your own personal path to happiness, here are four simple strategies to get you started in the right direction... give them a try and let me know how they work for you.

#1) Smile & Be Grateful -

We all know it´s true - some days things go really well and others... they just don´t. How you react to what life throws your way has a lot to do with how you feel.

When you focus on problems, more problems generally seem to come your way. When you focus on possibilities, however, you will almost certainly begin enjoying more opportunities.

That said, here are two concrete things you can do to help boost the happiness you feel:

Smile! Whenever you meet someone, greet them warmly and give them your best smile. There´s a reason why it´s often said that smiling is contagious - it´s hard to resist a genuine smile. In fact, you don´t need anyone else in order to smile. Try it right now. Sit up and put a BIG smile on your face! That´s right - terrific! Can you feel the difference inside? Smiling lifts your spirits and gives you a real energy boost, so be sure to do it often!
Take a gratitude break. When life is getting you down, take a few minutes to stop and think of 3 things you are grateful for. From "big" things like your family or spouse to little things like the daffodils outside your window, practicing gratitude every day can really help you feel better about yourself and your life.

#2) Hang Out With Other Positive People -

Let´s face it. It can be really hard to stay positive when everyone you know is complaining about something. That is why it´s so important to surround yourself with other positive-minded people.

When the people you spend time with focus more on your good points than your bad, it makes it easier for you to do the same.

Cut back on the time you spend with negative people and begin spending more of your time with those who are encouraging and supportive. When you do, you´ll not only begin to feel happier and more confident, you´ll feel a greater sense of personal power as well.

#3) Think "Brilliantly" -

If you´re serious about turning your life around, then thinking positive thoughts - or thinking brilliantly, as I like to call it - is definitely the first step. But for brilliant thinking to make a real difference in your life, you will want to learn from your negative thoughts as well.

First it´s important to understand that ignoring negative thoughts won´t make them just go disappear. Instead, try listening to that negative voice inside you head to see if there is some lesson it´s trying to teach you. Then take the thought and put a positive spin on it for future reference.

Here´s an example; if someone treats you badly and your first reaction is to lash out with an equally negative response, stop for a moment and ask yourself: What else could be behind this?

Sure, maybe that person doesn´t like you. But it could also be that they have some major problems you know nothing about.

Do you see how trying to be helpful instead of berating the other person can actually change how you see the entire experience?

#4) Make Affirmations Part Of Each Day -

When life gets stressful we often think and behave in ways that are more habit than anything else. And oftentimes these habits are negative. So, how do we create new, more positive habits that help us instead of hurt us?

Positive affirmations are the answer.

Here´s a short exercise to get you started:

Think about your goals in life. Now think about the personal qualities you need to reach those goals. If your dream is to earn more money at a better job, what qualities would you need to make that possible?

Now, using positive language, write sentences in the present tense. For example: I am confident, reliable and determined.

Make a commitment right now to say the statements to yourself several times a day, every day. As your subconscious mind begins to internalize and believe each statement, you will feel more confident, more dependable and more determined.

Let´s be honest, if the habit of thinking negatively is what´s keeping you from following your dreams, doesn´t it make sense to simply create a new habit? You have the power. You just need to use it.

By practicing gratitude, hanging out with positive people, focusing on the positive, and using positive affirmations to your best advantage, I know you can channel the power of positive thinking into helping you live the life of your dreams... are you ready to give it a try?

Jan Marie Mueller is the founder and CEO of ThinkBrilliantly.com. As a firm believer in personal growth and development for a better, more productive life, she´s passionate about helping people recognize the power they have to define and direct their lives through the choices they make. Jan is also a successful business owner, author, community volunteer and co-founder of the German non-profit Helping Hands for Children in Tanzania.

For more information on tips, strategies and resources on living your best life, visit http://www.ThinkBrilliantly.com. While you´re there be sure to download the FREE Developing Self-Awareness Guide & Workbook she´s put together for you: http://www.ThinkBrilliantly.com/Free-Guide. Discover just what you need to do to start knock down the barriers and start living the life you´ve always dreamed of.

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