The Power of Positive Thinking
We’ve heard it all before. Do it with a smile, keep it positive, you control your own happiness. When said in place of actual help, the aphorisms can seem demeaning and derisive. But the power of positive thinking extends beyond cute sayings on posters you find in Target.
The ability to perceive situations in positive light changes the way you approach them. It can mean the difference between success and hopelessness. The trouble is, it’s so hard to find the good when it seems like everything around you crumbles.
When positive thinking seems the hardest, it’s because you need it more than ever.
It’s so easy to complain to the nearest coworker about the boss who overloaded you this week without a single spot of praise. But this complaining not only could come back to bite you; it could actually hinder your success.
When we choose to dwell on the negative, we remove our power over the situation. We become helpless, and this state of mind is more comfortable than the alternative. When you blame the situation, it’s no longer your fault when failure strikes. You couldn’t have changed things anyway.
But when you give up your autonomy over a situation, you give in to the lies and fear, and you lose the opportunity to change the circumstances on your own terms. People find a state of helplessness comfortable, but they rob themselves of the opportunity to grow when they surrender to negative thoughts.
Getting positive feedback might feel good, but constructive criticism gives us an amazing opportunity to grow. Imagine yourself at the top of your field. You’re the best in the business, and people come to you for your expertise and knowledge.
How do you think you got to that position? It certainly wasn’t from doing things the same way you’ve always done them.
To grow, you need to learn from those around you who succeed in your field. Take their advice not as an inditement of your abilities, but an investment in your growth. They took the time to give you advice because they believe you have the ability to improve.
See the benefits of positive thinking? In what area of life could you stand to improve?
In a world of negativity, it’s hard to keep your positive thoughts afloat. You need to train your mind to remember your greatness.
While humility has its place, you need to remember your strengths in order to walk through life with a healthy level of confidence in your abilities. Give yourself positive affirmations when you succeed and start harnessing the power of the positive.
You won’t operate at your full potential when you don’t walk forward with confidence in your self-worth and capabilities. Use positive emotions to remind yourself of your inherent worth and skill.
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve when you believe in yourself.
Take the Time to Believe in Yourself
How have you harnessed the power of positive thinking in your life? In what areas of confidence do you wish to grow this year? Let us know in the comments!
Author, Artist, Photographer.
Sarah Margaret is an artist who expresses her love for feminism, equality, and justice through a variety of mediums: photography, filmmaking, poetry, illustration, song, acting, and of course, writing.
She owns Still Poetry Photography, a company that showcases her passion for capturing poetic moments in time. Instead of poetry in motion, she captures visual poetry in fractions of a second, making cherished keepsakes of unforgettable moments.
She is the artist behind the Still Poetry Etsy shop, which houses her illustrations and bespoke, handmade items. She is the author of intricacies are just cracks in the wall, a narrative poetry anthology that follows a young woman discovering herself as she emerges from an abusive relationship.
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