Think yourself happy

If you find yourself in negative situations again and again, changing the way you think could help you react more positively for a happier outlook. The following tips from counsellor and author Rob Kelly could help you do just this:

Process the positive

For many of us, when positive things happen, we either don’t take the time to process them, or dismiss them too quickly. By taking the time to really acknowledge and think about what has happened, you will help to improve your overall feeling of well-being.

So next time your manager gives you praise for a job well done, take ten minutes to let the praise sink in and process what it means to you.

Believe that you have control of your life

Studies have already told us that not feeling in control of our own lives can seriously hinder our psychological well-being, highlighting the importance of control (or at least the feeling of control).

Of course there are certain events in life that we have no control over, but just by taking responsibility for your life you can tell yourself that you can overcome these events. If you find yourself thinking in a powerless way – challenge yourself to think differently and see how you get on.

Visualise positive outcomes

Visualisation is a technique used by some of the most successful people in the world and can have an incredible impact on our thinking. If you have an important event coming up (for example a job interview) instead of imagining all the worst-case scenarios, try to visualise what you want to happen.

Challenge yourself

We all build confidence and self-esteem by overcoming obstacles and challenges. It is how we test our limits and see what we are truly capable of. If you are lacking in confidence, try setting yourself a small challenge, consider the steps you’ll need to take to accomplish it – and then do it. The feeling of accomplishment will boost your happiness and overall well-being.

Gain some perspective

Often those of us who think negatively get wrapped up in personal problems, seeing every bump in the road as ‘the end of the world’. To change this habit into a more positive one, next time something negative happens to you, take some time to think about the bigger picture.

Nine times out of ten you’ll see that the issue you’re dealing with is not that bad in the grand scheme of things, helping you to think more rationally and overcome the problem.

If you feel you could benefit from some guidance when it comes to positive thinking, why not speak to a life coach? For more information on how they could help, please see our Personal Development page.

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