Ever notice that positive people tend to have the best luck? They’re the ones that get the promotions, find their soul mates, and live long lives. While this is not always the case, positivity will never hurt your chances at success. If you’re looking to change your outlook, check out this guide to learn how to be a more positive person.
Exude Positivity – You Get What You Give
This sounds complicated based on the context of this guide, but hear us out. Positivity breeds positivity. If you have positive mannerisms, other people around you will follow suit. Try this experiment: Walk around your workplace for a day, and smile at everyone you see. Note how many people naturally smile back. It’s an instinctive reaction, and it can make an otherwise mundane day seem a little more bearable.
If you want to create a positive environment, start by portraying a positive person. Smile more, compliment others in a genuine way, encourage someone when they’re feeling down, and walk with your head held high.
Improve Your Posture
We just mentioned walking with your head held high, and we mean that in a literal sense. Good posture shows that you are confident, prepared, and focused. A slouched posture gives off the impression that you are in a bad mood, and a closed off posture (hands crossed in front of you) shows that you are not approachable. To create a positive vibe, sit or stand with your shoulders up, your head parallel to the ground, and your arms loosely hanging by your side.
Get More Sleep
A lack of sleep can make you more irritable and less productive during the day. Prioritize sleep in your schedule. Establish a night time routine that encourages your mind and body to fall asleep fast. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each night, allowing enough time to settle into bed before you actually fall asleep. Once you develop a healthy sleep routine, you will feel more energized and productive throughout the day.
Establish a Supportive, Trustworthy Friend Group
It’s hard to be positive when you’re surrounded by negative people. Evaluate your friend group. Are they people that inspire and encourage you, or do they make you feel bad for your successes? Do your friends encourage you to stay sober or get help for your mental health, or do they tempt you with unhealthy habits? It may be time to distance yourself from certain people so you can improve your quality of life.
Think of What You Have, Not What You Lack
Optimism starts with a grateful attitude. Instead of thinking about all of the things you lack, think of the triumphs in your life. Do you have your own place? Are your bills paid? Do you have a good relationship with your family? Are you working on an area of your life that needs improvement? You don’t have to have a big family, fancy car or oversized house to be happy and positive. You just need to appreciate the successes you do have.
Find the Source of Your Negativity
Negativity could be the result of depression, anxiety, past trauma, grief, stress, or a number of other factors. If you can find the source of your negativity, you can learn how to overcome it. This is one of the goals of individual counseling – identify the root cause of the issue, and find a personalized solution for it. That is exactly what we do here at Sherman Counseling.
To schedule an appointment at one of our Wisconsin counseling centers, give us a call at 920-733-2065. We have therapists in Appleton WI, Green Bay WI and Oshkosh WI who would be happy to assist you.
