Starting Off With A Positive Attitude
 
By Mark Webb

 Your attitude will determine your outcome.  If you don't have a positive attitude, you will never achieve your resolutions.  Keep this in mind when you start toward any goal.  Having the right attitude isn't something that just happens.  It is the result of a conscious effort.  As you get dressed in the morning, you would never walk into your closet and say to your clothes, "Okay, time to jump aboard" and expect to be dressed.  You know that you have to put your clothes on.  Having a positive attitude is a similar process; you have to consciously put one on.  You have to decide that you are going to be positive in your thoughts about yourself, others and the world you live in.
 
Here are 7 simple but powerful strategies to help you become a more positive person.
 
1.     Wake Up Happy.  I meet so many people who start their day off with negative statements like "I don't want to go to work today."  "I don't want to go to school."  "I'm so tired."  "I can't wake up until I have my morning coffee."
Train yourself to Wake Up Happy.  You can sing in the shower or listen to music that is uplifting.  You could have breakfast with someone you like who is positive and optimistic.  You could have a morning prayer time or read a devotional.
 
By training yourself to wake up happy, you are setting the pace of your day.  Don't leave your attitude to be determined by other people or situations beyond your control.  Start your day with a positive note.
 
2.     Take Control Of Your Physiology.  What I mean by this is that you pay attention to how you use your body.  Walk or stand up straight.  Walk 15% to 25% faster.  Take full, deep breaths.  Use a wider range of tonality and facial expressions.  Maintain good eye contact.  Observe people who you believe are positive and energetic.  Notice how they carry themselves.  Positive people carry themselves differently than negative people do.  Think of times in your life in which you were feeling your best.  Reflect back on your posture, the gestures you make, and your tone of voice.  Learn how to master your previous positive states and mirror the physiology of those you want to emulate.

3.     Your Language Determines Your Destiny.  Make sure that your thoughts and words are positive.  The language you use, whether spoken or not must be positive.  People don't know what you're thinking but this doesn't give you permission to be inconsistent.  Line up your thoughts and words with the kind of person you want to be.  The language you use can either build you up or psych you out.  Any negative statement can be reframed in a more positive manner.  Watch out for statements that predict negative outcomes.  Here are a few that will derail you every time:  "I'm so nervous", "I'm so depressed", I have a bad temper".  If you are going to put labels on yourself, at least use empowering ones.  Try these on and notice the difference.  "I'm in excellent health and have boundless energy!"  "I never get sick!"  "I have unshakeable peace of mind!"  "I'm a Great Wife!"  "I'm a Great Husband!"

4.     Look For The Good In Everyone You Meet And In Every Situation You Find Yourself In.  I know it is harder to see in some people and in some situations but everyone has their good points and so will every situation. 

5.     Expect The Best Of Yourself And Others.  Keep your mind tuned into the things you want and off of the things you don't want.  Your brain has a mechanism that is designed to notice things that are similar to your existing thoughts.  Think of the last time you purchased a car.  Do you remember prior to the purchase, you hadn't noticed that many cars like yours but the moment you drive it off the car lot you start to see them all over the place.  This is how it is when you expect the best.  Your brain will lead you to the expectations you desire.  Make sure your thoughts are tuned into positive things.

6.     Associate With Winners.  A winner is someone who is positive, optimistic, lives life to the fullest, and inspires you to be your best self.  Strive to limit your interactions with negative people.  Negative people will drain you of your energy and sense of hope.

7.     Seek Out The Power Of Role Models.  Stop trying to reinvent the wheel.  Seek out people in our community who are excelling in the areas you want to better yourself.  This can be a great parent or spouse, a successful business person, a strong spiritual example, or student.  The paths to success have already been paved.  If you follow them, you are sure to succeed as well.  An outstanding role model can save you years of trial and error. 
 
You can alter the course of your life by altering your attitude.  Nothing can stop a person with a positive mental attitude from achieving their goals.  On the flipside, nothing can help a person with a negative attitude.  Commit yourself to starting off your todays with a positive attitude.
 
Mark Webb is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™.  Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies”  Ezine ($100 Value).  Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com  or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com