If you want to make real changes in your life, the first place to start is your own attitude. It’s time to take a long, hard look at your situation, and come to terms with the fact that you decide how happy you are, not external forces. The single best way to improve your life and your circumstances is to change your attitude and focus on the positive.

The University of North Carolina conducted a scientific study that demonstrates the role a positive attitude plays in our lives. Barbara Frederickson is a positive psychology researcher at the University of North Carolina, and her work shows that a positive attitude is more than being happy or being in a good mood. According to Frederickson, positive thoughts can actually provide real value in your life by helping you build different skill sets and opening you to new thoughts, opportunities, and options.

Frederickson’s studies show that negative attitudes and thoughts close the brain off from seeing other options and choices surrounding a given situation. The brain perceives negativity as a threat, and it goes into survival mode. Imagine walking in the woods and running into a bear. In that scenario, your brain would tune out everything else and focus on the immediate need to get you away from the bear. Once the danger passed, then you would notice the woods, the ground around you, and other details you hadn’t noticed before. However, in everyday life, a constant flood of negativity keeps the mind stuck in this mode, which causes you to miss out on opportunities, relationships, and much more.

Conversely, the studies show that people who focus on positive thoughts are open to more possibilities in life. When people are open to possibilities, they engage in activities that help them develop skills they can use later in life. For example, a child who is happy and nurtured develops a specific set of skills. If the child plays outside with their friends, climbs trees, runs through fields, and engages in other regular play activities, he or she develops athletic and communication skills. These skills go far beyond just the emotions that helped develop them, but it’s important to note that a positive attitude is responsible. A negative attitude would not build the same skill sets because the mind remains focused on immediate threats and not long-term needs.

Now that you understand why and how a positive attitude impacts your ability to have a better life, let’s discuss how to have a positive attitude.

Your Focus is Your Reality

The first thing you have to understand is that what you focus on has power over you. I know it sounds cliché, and you’ve likely heard it before, but if you want to turn your mindset around, you have to understand and believe that you have the power to do so. Choose to focus on the positive of every situation, and understand that sometimes that takes practice.

Build a Solid Morning Routine

Your morning routine sets the tone for the entire day, so it’s important that you have a routine that is as relaxing as possible, and gives you time to set your intentions for the day ahead of you. This could include meditation, reading, exercise, or even sitting on the porch and watching the sun rise with a hot cup of coffee. Whatever makes you happy and keeps you in the moment is what you should include.

Watch Your Language

The words you use have an effect on how positive you are, as well. For example, if a coworker asks how you are and you answer with “fine,” you’re limiting your potential experiences for the day, and they probably won’t be good experiences, either. However, if you use positive language such as “great” or “fantastic,” then not only are you helping yourself feel better and be more positive, but you’re likely to surprise the other person and help lift their spirits, as well.

Use Hypnosis to Help Overcome Subconscious Blocks

In addition to the tips above, another option is to use hypnosis to help overcome subconscious blocks. Whether you realize it or not, your subconscious is running the show, which often makes it difficult to overcome negativity that’s been with you a long while. Hypnosis allows you to relax and let your guard down so that you can reach your subconscious and help it overcome negative blocks through the power of suggestion.

There are many other tips to help you overcome a negative attitude and focus on living a joyful life by being positive. However, these tips are the foundation for leading a positive life. Just remember that you control your thoughts, which means you have a say in how things turn out for yourself. Apply these tips, focus on gratitude, and accept that you’re going to have bad days. Don’t be hard on yourself for those days. Figure out the lesson, and turn it into something positive. Once you do that, you’ll be well on your way to obtaining and keeping a positive attitude.

About the Author: Dr. Steve G. JONES, Ed.D. is one of Your Monthly Mentors, a board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist who has been practicing hypnotherapy since the 1980’s. He is the author of 25 books on such topics as hypnosis, the law of attraction and weight loss. Dr. Steve has also created over 9,000 hypnosis audio recordings and 22 different online certification programs, which are sold in over 140 countries. Dr. Steve G. Jones works extensively with Hollywood actors, writers, directors, and producers, helping them achieve their very best. He has been featured on Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker as both a hypnotherapist and a millionaire and has been interviewed on CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS. Learn More… 

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