Be Positively Optimistic

“The mind is it’s own place, and in itself/can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” – John Milton in Paradise Lost.

It is true that how you feel about yourself, your world and other people is more important to your happiness than the circumstances of your life.

Image Source

Looking on the bright side; finding the silver lining of the cloud; seeing your cup as half full.  Optimism means different things to different people.  It is most widely assumed to mean expecting a desirable future, that good things will be abundant and bad things scarce.  Obviously though, a life one person perceives to be good, may be another’s nightmare.  In addition a person may be optimistic in one context, yet pessimistic in another.

Being optimistic has many benefits and can really enhance your happiness.  If you are optimistic about fulfilling your life goals, you will be likely to invest more time and effort into them and in turn more likely to succeed.  Even during the worst times an optimist copes well.  When faced with adversity, they are more likely to make plans and take direct action.

Here are two ways which may help you to construe the world with a more positive perspective.  It takes a lot of hard work, but if you persist, until it becomes habitual, the benefits are immense.

Identify Barrier Thoughts

This involves identifying automatic pessimistic thoughts, then replacing them with a more favorable point of view.  Try asking yourself:

• What else could this situation or experience mean?
• Can anything good from it?
• Does it present opportunities for me?
• What lessons can I learn?
• Did I develop any strengths as a result?

Goals and Subgoals

Identify your long range goals and break them up into subgoals.  If you get a discouraging or pessimistic thought, pin point it and try to generate alternative scenarios or solutions.  One way is to think back to times in the past where you have been successful.  Recognize the strengths and resources that you already have and let that motivate and invigorate you.