If You Want to Change Your Life, Start with a Positive Mindset
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”. These are wise and powerful words from the late Dr. Maya Angelou. I’m sure we can all agree that our attitude and mindset have a direct effect on our lives. Most of us are familiar with the saying, “you get what you put in”; and while this is often associated with the amount of effort that we put into various aspects of our life, it’s also very relevant to how we think and the type of energy we place into a situation whether it be positive or negative.
Your mindset sets the tone for your actions, without a doubt. Have you ever been afraid to take a risk or make an important decision? It’s natural to fear the unknown, but are we allowing our fears of the unknown to hinder us from change? It’s very possible to overcome this way of thinking, but it involves discipline to commit to a more positive mindset and create a shift in our lives.
A positive mindset can affect many areas of your life including your love life, work, life, and friend and family relationships. How?
Love & Relationships
Without a doubt, love is one of the most powerful forces that exist. An ample supply of love can motivate a person for the better while a lack of love can create a void that is often filled with incompatible substitutions. You’re probably wondering, “how can my mindset affect the love in my life?”
This brings us back to the thought, “you get what you put in.” The mindset that many people have today is one of entitlement, feeling as though they are owed the love they expect. However, love is a two-way street, and to properly show love and open yourself up to receiving it; it’s vital to change your mindset to one where love is something you have to give before you can get it.
This unselfish mindset is especially important when it comes to relationships. When I first moved in with my now-husband, I had to learn how to be self-sacrificing and selfless, both significant components to love. This began with me having to change my mindset, learning to consider someone’s feelings alongside my own. By doing so, I was able to open myself to love, fully understanding how to give it and receive it.
“To have a friend, be a friend.” A simple concept and mindset that can open the door to many fruitful relationships. Similar to romantic relationships, it’s crucial to develop a mindset of selflessness and positivity. With friends and family, disagreements or conflicts may arise, but having an unselfish and empathetic mindset can make it easier to overcome such challenges, by understanding how the other party is affected by your actions.
Work
“Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think.”– Benjamin Disraeli
For some, thinking about work sends them into a bad mood while others, look forward to a new day at their jobs. Why? Granted, there are jobs and careers out there that are more mentally taxing than others; but that doesn’t mean one is necessarily worse than the other. I’ve had a wide array of jobs, previously working in various fields like sales and marketing, business team building and coaching, and project management.
Each position naturally comes with its challenges, but again, mindset is key. Your mindset at the beginning of the day can dictate how you react to different situations throughout the workday. Aiming to arrive at work with a positive mindset and a confident attitude can reduce the amount of stress that these challenges can cause.
A positive mindset towards “work” goes past your everyday 9-5. As humans, we have a limitless amount of potential to fulfill our purpose and achieve our goals. Whether you have a career goal or another ambition, having a positive mindset can go a long way. Many are afraid of pursuing their goals because of that inevitable question, “what if?”
“What if I’m not good/smart/talented enough?” STOP ASKING YOURSELF THAT! Your drive and a positive mindset are more than enough to set you on the path towards achieving your goals. Fear is defined as an emotion, not a reality. Fear is an emotion that can plague our mindset with doubt and can keep us from taking that leap of faith. Instead, change your mindset to one of bravery and positivity, and don’t allow yourself or anyone to change that.
Great question! It’s clear to see how your mindset can affect different aspects of yourself, but what if you’ve recognized that you do in fact, need a mindset change? Well, congratulations! The first step to rectifying any problem is to first acknowledge it. It takes discipline to change the way you think and react to the world, and it’s not something that can be achieved overnight.
To achieve a positive mindset, begin with positive affirmations. It doesn’t need to be anything complicated, just something easy for you to remember and repeat to yourself. Deepak Chopra, an author, and expert in mind-body healing, firmly advocates the power of positive affirmations. In a conversation with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday show, he shared the affirmation, “I am.” This simple yet powerful mantra can aid in giving anyone the confidence they need to make changes in their mindset and life.
The next step is to begin manifesting your new and improved mindset through your actions. This isn’t the easiest thing to do, but if you make a practice of consciously making a change for the better, eventually it will become a part of your normal behavior. Again, a mindset change isn’t something that occurs overnight, but the benefits can last a lifetime.
