Countless volumes, courses, and therapy sessions are based on the principles of living a happier life. I’m going to attempt to capsulize some of those key concepts in 500 words!
For the past 45 years, I’ve devoted a lot of thought to developing my own potential and cultivating positive thoughts. I don’t have any training as a therapist or psychologist — only life experience and a strong desire to bring out the best in myself and others.
Flood Your Mind with Positivity
One resource I’ve found to be quite helpful (believe it or not) is Instagram. I scroll through my feed a couple times a day to stay informed, find inspiration, and be entertained. Like any other branch of social media, there’s a lot of junk and negativity in it. However, by selectively following accounts that align with your goals, values, and interests, you can customize the type of content and messages that shape your attitudes and beliefs.
Their are tons of Instagram accounts that focus on self improvement, physical and mental health, and success that can provide valuable you with helpful tips and inspiration. While mindless scrolling on social media can waste precious time and even fuel anxiety, being selective about the images and messages you take in can foster personal growth and goal attainment.
The Importance of Gratitude
Practicing gratitude on a daily basis is one of the cornerstones of a balanced, satisfying, and abundant life. Psychologists and spiritual leaders will tell you that gratitude and negative emotions can not exist in the same mental space at the same time. Furthermore, the more you think about what you’re grateful for, the greater your attraction will be for favorable conditions, people, and opportunities.
The Power of a Growth Mindset
A life-changing decision you can make, right now, is to cultivate a “growth mindset” instead of a “fixed mindset.” Devoting yourself to continuous improvement, learning, and personal development makes the difference between leading a hum-drum life and enjoying a carpe diem quality of life. Here’s the value of being a persistent optimist and stepping outside of your comfort zone: You will be more open to trying new things, discovering worthwhile experiences, and building a magnetic personality.
Expecting the Best and Making it Happen
There’s no panacea for life’s problems, obstacles, and difficulties, but approaching challenges with an attitude of persistence, resourcefulness, and self confidence will tip the scales in your favor.
An instant confidence booster which has been attributed to Robert Schuller, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and co-authors Mary Beth Sammons and Nina Lesowitz challenges us to be “possibility thinkers.” Experiment with THIS simple but powerful thought and see if it triggers your ability to be more proactive, confident, and adventurous:
“What would you do if you KNEW that you could not fail?”
Rather than filling your mind with all the things that could go wrong (which is like putting sand in your gas tank), why not imagine for a moment what it would feel like to succeed in a particular endeavor? To quote Neville Goddard, “Assume the feeling of your wish fulfilled and continue feeling that it is fulfilled until that which you feel objectifies itself.” That, in a nutshell, is one of the main tenets of human happiness, success, and personal fulfillment.
Thoughts that Work 