10 Ways to Develop a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it.
Joan Lunden
“Always look on the bright side of life….” If you are a fan of Monty Python, you may remember this line from the closing song in The Life of Brian. The song is sung by Brian and several others who are hanging on crosses as they sing the song. Some may consider the movie to be sacrilegious, and they are probably right. But the song from this movie reminds me to find the bright side to the challenges that life throws are way.
Last week, we spent time talking about negative attitudes and positive attitudes. Understanding the benefits of a positive attitude and the downsides of a negative attitude is great, but it doesn’t mean much if we don’t take steps to improve our attitude. Here are several tips that will help you become more positive.
10 Ways to Develop a Positive Attitude
- Turn away from the negative. Becoming a more positive person starts with a decision. Decide today to be more positive and less negative. Stop reading and watching things that cause you to have a negative attitude.
- Fight the power of negativity. Despite your decision to be more positive, you will run into people who will drag you down with their negativity. Stand up to the people who are negative in your life.
- Look for the silver lining. In life, we will experience difficult circumstances. Intentionally, look for the blessings in these circumstances.
- Practice positivity. In Philippians 4:4, Paul challenges readers to be positive again and again, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Becoming more positive is not a once and done event. Becoming more positive requires practice over and over and over again.
- Fill your mind with positive. In Philippians 4:8, Paul continues to instruct readers on the topic of becoming more positive, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Read things that are positive. Watch things that are positive.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you want to develop a positive attitude, hang out with positive people.
- Practice positive activities. Exercise. Get outside. Write thank you notes. Hold the door open for people. The more time you spend on positive activities the less time you will have for negativity to creep into your life.
- Get help if necessary. Some of us are predisposed to negativity, and sometimes life circumstances make it very challenging for us to become positive. You may need some outside help. I few years ago, I was going through some really big challenges. I sought out a trained counselor to help me work through my challenges. My counselor was instrumental in me developing a more positive attitude. Help may also come in the form of a close friend or accountability partner. If you’re struggling with a negative attitude, get help!
- Encourage others to be positive. I try to be positive here on my blog. I try to be positive at work. If you want to make the world a more positive place, you must first lead by example. Then you can speak into the lives of others.
- Serve others. Serving others has the amazing ability to put things in the proper perspective. Whenever I serve others, I naturally become more positive about my current situation. I feel better about myself. And I want to keep serving. Serving others has the potential of perpetually pumping up your positivity.
What helps you overcome a negative attitude? What tips do you have for developing a positive attitude? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For more great tips on becoming a more positive person, check out my post – How I Maintain A Positive Attitude (When Negativity Surrounds Me).