We have all met people who always believe in good things. And this is not magic: they live in the same reality as we do, they just know how to think positively. Learning to be optimistic means looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, positive thinking helps us to be more confident and courageous, to better cope with stress.
Let’s learn how to become an optimist!
- Control pessimistic thoughts.
If you are more likely to consider yourself a pessimist (well, or a realist), pay attention to your usual formulations: how often do you think or say to yourself something like “well, again,” “it won’t work, so you shouldn’t do it”? Instead, try addressing yourself like this: “What exactly made me doubt, worry, or feel fear? What do I really think about this situation? “And avoid the words” always “and” never “- these negative generalizations get in the way of feeling confident.
- More flexibility.
Learn to change goals (or set new ones) if something goes wrong. Pessimists often feel that they have no alternative. True optimists are almost never ready to give up their goals. They just go the other way: in all controversial situations, they will have prepared not only a plan B, but also a couple of smaller backup plans.
- Choose the right environment
Your mood depends on it. How to become an optimist in life? Let there be more people around you who are calm, positive and able to express support, and not hysteric people and gossip lovers. Pessimism is contagious, but optimism is also contagious, so get rid of toxic relationships – you won’t get anything good from them. Your choice is: good news, active pursuits, activities that bring you joy.
- A “bank” of positive feelings
In those moments when you feel joy, focus and try to be aware of what you are thinking. Try to determine what caused this feeling, what accompanies it, how you can achieve it again. Start creating a “bank” of positive feelings: memorize moments of joy, good luck, in order to recall them in your memory in difficult moments of life.
- Recognize that some things and events are simply beyond your control
This is the difference between pessimists and optimists – the first are always sure that any problem and failure turns out to be in themselves,that it was they who did it wrong, or they were just simply terribly unlucky. Optimists are well aware that not everything in life depends on their efforts.
- Own rituals
Find or create your own rituals to help you deal with stress. These can be breathing exercises,cycling, fishing – anything that makes you feel calm. At first, just make some effort.
- Be grateful
Research shows that the more often you try to feel grateful (towards people, events, phenomena and in general to any gifts of life) the more likely it will lead to an increase in your personal level of optimism. In essence, this simple habit – to say to the “world” about the good things happening to you – just helps us not to forget about the positive side of life, to appreciate it more.
- Celebrate even the smallest victories
Praise, support, and encourage yourself, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Another tip for becoming an optimist: some nice bonus increases our optimism – so celebrate even the smallest victories and achievements. Are you getting ready to start a difficult or unpleasant business? Don’t push yourself, instead promise yourself a reward – no matter what outcome is.
- You are different from others
Think about what you have, not what you don’t. There is little point in comparing ourselves to others (and we all do it in one way or another) – there will always be those who are more successful, richer. Think about how you are different from others in a good way.
- Rebuild your thinking
Learn to criticize others in a way that starts with a positive affirmation. Something like this: “I understand that you wanted to wash the dog, it’s a good idea. But now the whole floor is wet and foamy, and the dog won’t leave under the couch for another week. ” This trick will help you gradually rebuild your thinking so that you really first notice all the positive aspects of what has happened.
First just start trying and you’ll surely succeed!
