How to Practice Positive Thinking
Grab
a pen and paper. Right here and right now, we are going to dismantle a
negative thought pattern and replace it with (you guessed it) positive
thinking! This technique takes only a few minutes and can yield
tremendous results.
1) Find a
quiet spot where you won't be interrupted for at least 30 minutes. Turn
off the phone, and remove any other potential distractions.
2)
Sit quietly for a moment and think of a goal, desire or situation you
are facing where you are lacking a positive attitude or where you are
less than completely content. It may be a relationship that needs
repair, a worry you are struggling with, a business you want to start
or some important task that you have been avoiding. Maybe you have to
give a speech and you are feeling apprehensive. It can be small or
large.
3) On top of the page, write a title for your goal, desire or situation.
4)
Without stopping, write all negative attitudes, beliefs, and criticisms
that come to mind around this topic. Once you get rolling, you may need
more than one page! Write down attitudes about you (I am ..) and others
(He/She is...) and the world (It is…) and what you fear will happen.
Think of this as mentally 'throwing up'. Be intent on expressing all
negative attitudes completely and honestly. You will destroy this paper
and no one will ever read it, so do not sugar coat. Most importantly,
do not stop writing to edit or evaluate.
5) When you feel like
all the statements are complete, put down your pen and reflect how you
feel. You may feel a slight lift in your attitude at this point. The
simple act of expressing negative attitudes can be a relief, but you’re
not done. Your thinking on this topic is getting a complete overhaul
today!
6) Think of good friend or loved one, past or present -
someone you really care about. Image that person coming to you with a
similar goal, desire or situation. How would you feel if they confided
in you the same negative attitudes and statements? You might feel some
compassion for that person. You would want to set them straight, right?
Good!
7) As if you are playing the role of rational friend or
family member, write a rational rebuttal / counter to each negative
statement. Keep them short (one to three sentences) and simple. You now
have a rough list of your personal positive affirmations.
8)
Review, refine and practice these affirmations 20 minutes every day for
the next four weeks. In a short while, you will develop a powerful,
sizeable list of affirmations.
Like
any deeply rooted habit, overcoming your negative self talk will
required a moderate amount of practice. But it is not difficult to
develop and master this skill. The positive impact on your attitude and
self-confidence will be tremendous.