Ok, I have a confession. I used to be a pessimist. I felt that by bracing myself for the worst possible outcome, I was preparing myself. It was a way to feel like I was in control. But, I never thought I was actually creating the space for negative events to happen. And they kept happening. When my eyes began to open and see that thoughts become things, everything shifted. I became convinced that my mindset truly was everything. Doors began to open. Multiple times. I was hooked.

So let’s talk about what a positive mindset can affect, who has changed their lives by adopting a positive mindset and how you can take steps to change your thinking and shift from a realist or a pessimist (like I was) to become a more positive person.

Five Areas Where Your Mindset Is Everything

A positive mindset can indeed make a significant impact in various aspects of life. Here are five real-life areas where a positive mindset can have a huge impact:

• Health and Healing: A positive mindset can enhance the healing process. Studies have shown that patients with a positive outlook often experience improved recovery rates, reduced stress, and a better overall quality of life during illness or after surgery. The placebo effect, which has mystified researchers for decades, is very real.
• Career Success: A positive mindset can drive career success. Individuals who approach their work with optimism, resilience, and a growth mindset tend to achieve better job performance, handle setbacks more effectively, and advance in their careers.
• Relationships: In personal relationships, a positive mindset can lead to healthier, more fulfilling connections. People who maintain a positive attitude are often more empathetic, better at conflict resolution, and capable of maintaining harmonious relationships with others.
• Achieving Goals: Maintaining a positive mindset can be a key factor in goal achievement. When individuals believe in their ability to succeed and maintain a can-do attitude, they are more likely to set and reach ambitious goals.
• Emotional Well-Being: A positive mindset contributes to emotional well-being. People with a positive outlook tend to experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They have greater emotional resilience and are better equipped to cope with life’s challenges.

These areas illustrate the profound impact a positive mindset can have on various aspects of life, from health and relationships to career success and overall well-being. It’s a powerful tool for personal growth and resilience.

Five Areas Where Mindset is Everything

There are many inspiring individuals who have achieved remarkable success in various aspects of life by adopting a more positive mindset. Here are some real-life examples in each category:

Health/Healing:

Peggy Fleming: The world-renowned ice skater and cancer survivor, Peggy Fleming, not only overcame xx cancer but credits her positive mindset as a key part of her recovery process. Her positive mindset, determination, and belief in her ability to overcome adversity played a significant role in her recovery.

Career:

Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and philanthropist, is known for her incredible career success. She grew up in challenging circumstances but maintained a positive mindset and unwavering self-belief, which led her to become one of the most influential and successful individuals in the media industry.

Relationships:

Ellen DeGeneres: Ellen DeGeneres, a popular TV host, comedian, and actress, is also recognized for her positive and inclusive approach to life. Her openness about her own journey and her positive attitude have not only fostered strong relationships but have also made her a role model for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.

Achieving Goals:

Michael Jordan: Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan faced setbacks and challenges in his career. His relentless work ethic and positive mindset drove him to achieve multiple NBA championships and Olympic gold medals, even after facing defeats.

Emotional Well-Being:

Deepak Chopra: Dr. Deepak Chopra, a renowned author and speaker in the field of mind-body wellness, has helped countless individuals achieve better emotional well-being through his teachings on positive thinking, meditation, and holistic health. He exemplifies how a positive mindset can lead to emotional and spiritual growth.

These individuals serve as inspirations, showcasing the transformative power of a positive mindset in various domains of life. Their stories illustrate that maintaining a positive attitude, self-belief, and resilience can lead to remarkable achievements and personal growth.

How Can I Become More Positive?

Adopting a more positive mindset is a valuable endeavor that can significantly enhance your overall well-being and success. Here are some steps to help you cultivate a positive mindset:

• Self-Awareness: Start by becoming aware of your current thought patterns. Notice when negative thoughts or self-doubt arise. Self-awareness is the first step to change.
• Challenge Negative Thoughts: When negative thoughts occur, challenge them. Ask yourself if they are based on facts or assumptions. Are they helping or hindering your progress?
• Practice Gratitude: Regularly practice gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. This can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what you have.
• Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with positive, supportive people who uplift and encourage you. Their positivity can be contagious.
• Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Acknowledging your accomplishments boosts confidence.
• Positive Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to counter negative self-talk. Repeat affirmations that reinforce your self-worth, abilities, and potential.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.

Henry Ford

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness and meditation to stay in the present moment and reduce stress. These practices can help you respond to challenges with a calmer, more positive attitude.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritize a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep. Physical well-being can contribute to a positive mindset.
• Limit Negative Influences: Minimize exposure to negative influences, whether it’s news, social media, or toxic relationships. Create boundaries to protect your mental well-being.
• Learn from Setbacks: Instead of dwelling on failures, view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Maybe the setback is hiding a useful nugget of information about yourself that can propel your growth forward. Focus on what you can do differently in the future.
• Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from a therapist, counselor, or coach if you find it challenging to overcome negative thought patterns on your own.
• Daily Reflection: End each day with a brief reflection on positive experiences and achievements. This practice can create a habit of positivity.
• Give Back: Acts of kindness and helping others can boost your sense of positivity and well-being.
• Visualize Success: Use visualization techniques to imagine your goals and dreams as already achieved. This can instill a sense of confidence and belief in your abilities.
• Be Patient: Adopting a more positive mindset is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and recognize that setbacks are part of the journey.

Remember that developing a positive mindset is an ongoing practice. It requires consistent effort and self-compassion. Over time, you’ll find that a positive mindset not only enhances your outlook on life but also empowers you to face challenges with resilience and optimism.

What a Positive Mindset Is Not

It’s not about telling yourself that a crappy situation is actually a good one. It’s about looking it in the eye and saying, “yes, this [situation/work issue/relationship] sucks, but I know that I don’t have to stay stuck here.” I still call things like I see them.

It’s not about doing it yourself. And it’s not a replacement for counseling. Asking for help when you need it or wanted it is a sign of strength. Through another trained person hearing and advising on your pain points, you may uncover areas of your life that need attention.

Bringing It Home

The older I get, the more I see how my outlook affects my life in profound ways. Spending a greater portion of my day focused on the positive side of life ultimately has led me to feel better about myself, my life, my relationships—just about everything. I still have not so great things happen, but they don’t derail me like they once did. By arming myself with a better outlook, I feel more equipped to handle the day to day stress that is a part of life. I am also WAY more likely to celebrate the victories when they come, because I’m worth celebrating.

I’m learning that even setbacks can help me see areas where I need to improve as a person. I accept this and move on, rather than dwelling on how unfair things are or adopting a “poor me” approach. As such, I feel less like a victim in my own life and more like the kickass main character who is allowed to make mistakes and then learn and grow. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck on your journey of adopting a more positive mindset as a way to make your life more enjoyable and rewarding.

Keep filling your cup, lovelies! You are worth it.