OPTIMISM

So how can you become more optimistic?

Here are 10 ways:

1. Choose to be optimistic! Choose to see the bright side, the benefits, the lessons and the positives in any situation instead of being hyper-focused on problems.

2. Actively look for the silver lining (the hidden benefits). Take a few moments to breathe, step back and see if something good can come of the situation

3. Surround yourself with positive people. Optimism, just like any other attitude, is contagious!

4. Be grateful. There is always something to be grateful for, if you just look for it.

5. Learn to let go rather than to quit. Letting go of a bad relationship, for example, is different than quitting. Letting go of a goal that doesn’t inspire you, is different than quitting. (But, be honest about this!)

6. Create your future. The past is the past and it is full of great lessons. Right now you are creating your future… instead of passively waiting for it.

7. Talk about possibilities and solutions, not limitations and problems. There may not be a perfect solution to every problem but there is almost always more than one way to improve it. There is always opportunity for improvement, even if that improvement is tiny.

8. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do and talk about your strengths instead of your fears. Be proactive instead of reactive, and boldly attempt new solutions to old problems, rather than spinning your wheels expecting things to be different this time. Let go of the victim mentality and take responsibility for your actions, 100%. That means, minimise the obstacles to your success and happiness, like bad habits, being around negative people, and unsupportive or dis-empowering choices.

9. Know that everything is temporary - the good times, the bad times, the easy things and hard things, happiness and sadness… everything is transitory so you don’t need to feel like you are stuck in a forever spiral of doom and gloom. A great meditation mantra to use is, “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

10. Talk to yourself with kindness, compassion, encouragement, enthusiasm and positivity - exactly as you would talk to your very best friend. Respect yourself, but don’t take yourself or life too seriously!