POSITIVE OUTLOOK = POSITIVE OUTCOME

6 WAYS TO STAY POSITIVE (Material came from )

1. SHIFT YOUR THOUGHTS Be conscious of your thoughts. Especially, when life just isn’t going your way. The moment you see that you are diving into frustration, agony, sorrow and low self-esteem – shift your thoughts, by thinking about something completely unrelated. This breaks the pattern of self-pity, mind-created stories, and negative downward spiral. What makes us different from other mammals is our ability to control our thoughts and think for ourselves.

EXAMPLE Learn from your mistakes and move on. Don’t dwell on what happened but what will and can happen. If you failed a class, focus on getting good grades on other classes. You can’t change the grade so work hard to make up the difference.

2. FIND THE LESSON There is a lesson to be learned from every situation. No matter how unfortunate the situation may appear, recognize the beautiful lessons waiting to be discovered. Sometimes lessons are expensive, but every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. You may have made a mistake, but now you can accept it and continue, knowing that you will make a different decision in the future. Understand this and be appreciative for the experience.

EXAMPLE Analyze what you gained from the experience. Sometimes falling and getting hurt can only make you stronger. If you failed a class, learned why you failed a class and apply what you learned toward future classes. Don’t fall back into the same track!

3. ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE You cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time.You cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time. Start counting the blessings and miracles in your life, start looking for them and you shall find more. What’s there not to be grateful? You are alive and breathing! Realize how lucky you are and all the abundance in your life.

EXAMPLE Think positive! The way you vision the situation can alter the way you perform. Failing a class is not the end of the world! Work toward not failing another class for the next few years!!

4. POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS & VISUALIZATION Practice seeing yourself in a positive and confident light. Do this whenever you have a few minutes (examples; Waiting for a friend, sitting on the bus, riding an elevator.) Self-affirmations (list of positive statements about yourself and your self image) are another simple and powerful tool to train your subconscious to see yourself in a positive light. This is important, as many of us can be so hard on ourselves though social conditioning. I am guilty of being extra tough on myself, but have learned over time to recognize my gifts rather than finding false and self-imposed inadequacies.

EXAMPLE Give yourself a “pat on the back” when you do well. Positive reinforcement can go a long way, just don’t over indulge in it! When you get an A on one of your exams, treat yourself to a nice dinner! Use it as reward for your positive actions!

5. INVENTORY OF MEMORIES Keep an inventory of memories that can immediately make you smile. Occasions where you felt happy, appreciative and cheerful. When you were at peace with the world. Whenever you are in a negative frame of mind, consciously and deliberately pick up any leaf out of this inventory and dwell on it. Reminiscing those happy moments gives a balanced perspective to your situation. You realize that what appears negative today will change tomorrow. Nothing stays the same.

EXAMPLE When you are down, look to happy memories. Remember the times that you did well and use it is a “pick me up!” If you received a bad grade on your recent exam, look to the times that you did very well. What did you do in your previous exam that was different from this one? What do you need to do to improve?

6. CRITICIZING DETOX DIET Change your approach and attitude. See if you can stop criticizing others and situations. Our cultural conditioning teaches us to find flaws and problems at all times. Shift from fault-finding to appreciation-finding.

EXAMPLE Stop criticizing others and yourself. Sometimes failing a class or exam can be more of your fault than the professors! If you received a F on your exam, don’t blame the professor! It can be your own fault due to lack of studying, partying before the exam or just slacking off!

GOAL- ORIENTED Stay focused Take small steps Breath Get up when you fall down Reward yourself when you do well STAY POSITIVE!!!! GOOD LUCK!!