New Year, New You?
If you’re making New Year’s goals and resolutions, then you should add “think positive” to your list.
The power of positive thinking goes a long way. Our thoughts impact our daily actions, moods, and outcomes. When you think positively, you are more likely to attract positive things. It’s the law of attraction: similar things attract each other, despite the old ideology of “opposites attract.” Sure, that might be true in relationships, because personalities can complement another. But when it comes to actions, outcomes, and our general wellbeing, we attract what we project.
No matter what other goals you’ve decided to achieve, here’s why you should add positive thinking to your list.
Positive Thinking and Happiness: Why Your New Year’s Goal Should Be to Think Positive
Benefits of Positive Thinking
Positive thinking doesn’t just mean to think happy thoughts – although positive thoughts do lead to more feelings of happiness. It’s also about thinking, “I can do this.” When you mentally decide you will overcome a challenge, you will push harder and go further, so you are more likely to succeed. All those other goals on your list become easier to achieve when you start actively trying to think more positive thoughts. In fact, this is a big secret to success for many entrepreneurs. And that success can lead to more confidence, purpose, and happiness.
Positive thinking can also:
- Lead to a longer life
- Reduce stress
- Promote better health and stronger immune system
- Reduce negative self-talk
- Allow you to be present in the moment
So if your goal is to run a 10k this year, but you struggle to run a 5k now, you may think “This is too hard, I’ll never hit my goal” and give up. That negative self-talk hurts your motivation and hinders your goal-reaching abilities. But if you tell yourself every day, “Today I’m running 1 minute longer than I did yesterday. I can do this!” You’ll be more likely to hit your goal. Your brain will already have accepted the fact that you’re going to do it, so your body will be ready.
How to Start Thinking Positively
1. Think of It as Already Done
If your goal is to have more patience, run the 10k, build your business… whatever it is, you’ve already done it in your mind. So instead of thinking “I will have more patience today with my kids,” think to yourself “I am patient.” If your goal is to build your business, then think of your business as already where you want it to be. “I am doing it” instead of “I will.” The latter is always in the future tense and always feels ahead of us. If you condition your mind to think of it as already done, you’ll be thinking more positively about the situation.
2. Choose to Take Time for Yourself, and Not Stress
Easier said than done, but it can be done: It is done. Take time for yourself to unwind, and even get bored. Boredom promotes creativity and allows you to savor in the positive moments of the day. Drink some tea in quiet, without your phone. Really enjoy and taste your food. And when things don’t go as planned, don’t stress about them. Take a step back, think what could have gone better, and then make it so.
3. If You Catch Yourself Doubting, Change Your Inner Monologue
If you notice you start feeling anxious or doubting your abilities, try to pause and notice why. Nerves are okay, and doubts can be a warning sign – but, if it’s only doubts about your ability to do something because of fear of the unknown? Then change your verbiage. “I’m confident that I can do this.” But, if there’s a real reason for your negative feeling, listen to your gut. Your intuition is there for a reason.
Start Your New Year on a Positive Note!
How will you start implementing more positive thought into your day? Take time to unwind and notice your thoughts and think about how your day went. Positivity is attracted to positivity. The more you practice, the easier it gets!
