Think positive
How Can I Think Positive?
Throughout my years as a coach, one of the most frequent questions I get is: “I try to think positive, but negativity always seems to overpower my efforts.” Many people feel that either positive thinking doesn’t work or that they aren’t trying hard enough.
The truth is, positive thinking is a powerful tool, but like any tool, it needs to be used correctly and at the right time.
One proven technique for managing success at any stage of life is Life Self Coaching. This method isn’t an exaggeration—it’s backed by research. Susan Jackson, a researcher, conducted a global study on 28 athletes across seven sports and found that self-confidence, focus, and strong motivation were the key factors for success. Life Self Coaching is all about understanding your strengths and weaknesses, being both your best friend and toughest coach, and pushing yourself to be the best you can be.
Here are some essential strategies for managing yourself and cultivating positive thinking:
- Align Yourself with Your Main Goal
The first step in Life Self Coaching is to train yourself toward a clear, meaningful goal. Your goal must come from within, something you deeply desire—not something others expect of you. The driving force behind your success is you. Keep your focus, light the fire within, and maintain that motivation to reach your goal. - Visualize Your Goal
Once your goal is set, the next step is to visualize and feel the success ahead. Make it a daily habit to immerse yourself in the imagery and emotions of achieving that goal. Experts suggest that repeating this visualization for 21 consecutive days rewires your brain, helping you subconsciously pursue your goal—just like brushing your teeth or driving home without thinking. - Command Yourself Calmly
In moments of stress or negativity, speak to yourself in a calm, steady voice: “Everything is under control. Breathe deeply and think positive.” The secret is to use a gentle tone—like a hypnotist—because a harsh, critical voice will disorient you and break the positive impact you’re creating. If raising your voice helps, feel free to do so, but don’t yell unless it’s beneficial. - Advise Yourself
Most of us are great at giving advice to others, but not to ourselves. Why not treat yourself like your best friend? Offer the same encouragement and advice to yourself as you would to someone you love and care about. - Encourage Yourself
A simple phrase like “I can do it” can fuel your commitment and boost your self-esteem, which is the driving force behind achieving any goal. Without belief in yourself, success becomes far less likely. - Ask Yourself ‘Why?’
Understanding why you want to achieve your goal is crucial. What does it mean to you? How will it impact your life? Meaningful reasons will inspire you and strengthen your determination. - Practice Positive Belief
Love is the ultimate “positive belief” and it changes the way you interact with others. Instead of surface-level positivity, aim for deeper compassion, gratitude, and understanding. This mindset isn’t just for others—it’s for you, because the energy you send out is the energy that returns to you. - Combat Negativity
Negativity stifles creativity and highlights every potential downside. Practice spotting negative thoughts as soon as they appear, and challenge them with constructive, positive alternatives. - Create Words of Success
Develop short, positive affirmations to impose positivity on your thoughts. These statements help counter negativity and reinforce a mindset of success. - Repeat Your Positive Beliefs
Studies show that maintaining a positive attitude, even in challenging circumstances, leads to better outcomes. Survivors of accidents, for example, often attribute their survival to hope and the belief that their hardship was temporary.
Remember, it’s never too late to become the best version of yourself!
For more insights, feel free to visit www.lifeselfcoaching.com.
Avra Lyraki (Ph.D. MCC, ICF)
Global Executive Communication Coach (MCC, ICF) | Government & C-Level Communication Mentor|ICF Assessor, ACTC & Mentor Coach| TEDx Speaker| HBR Advisory Council Member