11 secrets of a positive mindset

Positivity. Optimism. Such big words, that sometimes feel just so… impossible, right?

They don’t have to be. Positivity and optimism can be found by creating a positive mindset, which I ensure will upgrade your life and make being happy and at peace way easier. I’ve personally struggled a lot with my own negativity in the past, I still do and it actually hurts to let it go. But starting to slowly leave it behind and creating a positive mindset helped me to see the world in a whole new way. And you can do that, too! Learn how with my 11 secrets of a positive mindset.

1. Look for the good in every situation

In every “bad” situation, there actually IS something good, you only just don’t see it. When we are experiencing a problem, it is way easier to focus on the bad and complain about the problem instead of trying to see any good, because that’s work. But I ensure you it is worth it, because that work will make the problem less severe! How to look for it?

Ask yourself questions like these: Is there a lesson I can learn from this? What new things did I discover? What benefit can I get from the bad happening to me? Read more about not focussing on the bad here.

2. Worry less, live more

That’s something I learned some years ago. Worry less, live more. It could also mean “Think less, live more”. Set an end to the overthinking spiral and commit to thinking less. It means, don’t spend your time wandering in the past or in the future, instead, decide to live in the moment. Come back into the NOW. In the now, there is no time, no obligation, no regret. There is just the beauty of the moment and being alive. Being positive means knowing that you’re here to savor the life you’ve been gifted with and don’t waste it worrying.

Related article: 7 things you need to give up to be happy

3. Know that you are unique and you can.

Positive people value themselves and their abilities. They know that they are unique and they can achieve everything they want to. Positivity is fueled by self-love. Love yourself the way you are, trust, and never… NEVER beat yourself up for anything. You can do everything if you believe you can.

Related: The number one way to boost your self-confidence

4. No matter what, everything will be fine

It always will. This is what I call trusting in life. It means knowing that everything happens for a reason and it is just how it is supposed to be. All that happens is designed to teach you something and help you grow. No matter how bad your situation feels like, there will always be a new up, and everything will be fine. Don’t dwell in worry too much.

I loved what this amazing tune of the new movie “Mary Poppins returns” taught me: “There is nowhere to go but up.” The message is so powerful. No matter what you go through in life, you are always learning and adding value to your life, and you can only go up. Listen to the amazing song here.

5. Appreciate the little things in life

Positive people have an eye for the little things in life that bring joy. A smile from a stranger. An amazing-tasting coffee in the morning with the warmth of a sun ray pouring through the window on your face. A spontaneous date with your bestfriend. There are so many amazing little things in this world, you only need to see them and appreciate their beauty!

6. Practice gratitude

Be happy with what you have in life. Stop being unsatisfied and always only wanting more! Look at all the beautiful things you already benefit from. Appreciate the roof over your head, your healthy body, the food on your table, the amazing people in your life… Cherish all this, and then strive for more. Gratitude is key, believe me. Please read this amazing quote from Oprah and let it sink it.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

-Oprah Winfrey

7. Everything’s possible and life is easy

Life is easy

Don’t make it complicated. Start to believe life is easy, instead of complicating it in every possible area. When you make things complicated, they turn into burden. Every task becomes difficult and you need way more time to complete them, as you’re constantly thinking they are hard. This leaves you with less time for the other things in your life you consider as relaxing and easy. Believe your tasks are easy and that you can master them, and they will become easy.

Anything’s possible

The world has endless possibilities. You only need to see them, decide they are for you and take them! Also, anything’s possible if you only believe it is. Your thoughts design your reality. Things become possible once you believe they are. I love this quote from It’s possible from Seussical the Musical:

Oh the sea is so full of a number of fish

And if a fellow is patient, he might get his wish

8. Positive language

For a more positive mindset, the usage of positive language is vital. Especially in relation to your self-talk, it is important you watch your words. Erease all the negation words out of your self-talk vocabulary. Stop saying things like “can’t”, “don’t”, “no” etc. No matter what, always look for the most positive thought you can have in every situation. It is all practice. Here are some examples:

• I can’t make that deadline. –> I need more time.
• I am not good enough. –> It is a little hard for me, but I can master it.
• There is no solution to this problem –> I am working on finding a solution.
• …

9. Don’t believe every thought

Not every thought you have during your day actually should be believed. A lot of them are just… false. This is because our brain is wired to keep us safe from harm, and everything “new” is a potential danger, so your brain tries to keep you away from it. That’s how limiting thoughts are created, which may even turn into limiting beliefs, keeping you stuck in one place. Those are your self-doubts and your fears. Look for phrases like “I am not good enough”, “I can’t do this”, that’s what I am talking about.

Please know that you can choose your thoughts, and you can train your mind to stop the negative ones!

10. Focus on solutions, not problems

When you are experiencing a problem, don’t let that problem swallow you. I know it can feel comfortable to whine and chat about your problems for hours with your best friend, but it does nothing but anchor them and maybe even make them bigger. All the time you spend complaining and talking about a problem, you waste precious time you could instead be looking for solutions. So when there is a problem, make it a habit to acknowledge and analyze it quickly, and then quickly move on to looking for solutions. Don’t stick with the problem. Find a solution. The sooner you start looking for it, the earlier you will find one.

11. Mind your own business

There are two aspects to minding your own business.

• Not caring what others think
• Not comparing

Don’t care what others think

Stop caring for what other people think, because the thoughts of other people are not designed to make you happy and positive. Only your own thoughts should be designed to do so, so why waste time thinking about what others think? Mind your own business means minding your own thoughts and learning to guide them towards your best life, and nobody elses.

Don’t compare

There are always people better than you, and always people worse then you… but only if you make that assumption. You can totally free yourself of any competitivity, jealousy, stress and pressure if you only stop comparing yourself to anybody else.

Every single human on this world is unique, and everybody is creating their own life and story. You are unique in everything you think, feel or do, and that’s why it makes no sense to ever compare yourself to anybody else: there just are no similarities to be found. It is a total waste of time. Precious time you could instead spend writing your own story.

Related: Why comparison attacks your happiness

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Do you know any other secrets? I’d love for you to share them in the comments! Now start turning your mindset around and living your best and most positive life!