12 Tips for Staying Positive When Things Feel Tough

Contrary to popular belief, it's challenging to maintain a good attitude when faced with alarming news and ongoing life upheavals. You need a positive outlook to keep you rooted and sane whether you're a parent juggling job and family responsibilities or a student attempting to bear the strain.

Even if it's simpler said than done, "being optimistic" is a talent that can be developed with regular practice. When you rewire your mind to think only of the positive, you view life with assurance and calm. How do you concentrate on the positive and what does it mean? Let's get started.

What does "concentrate on the positive" mean?

"Focus on the positive, and the positive improves." We frequently labeled this phrase as a quotation for thankfulness and optimism. What does it imply, though, exactly?

Focusing on the positive has the following implications:

• discovering the positive side of adversity

• gaining knowledge from mistakes and setbacks

• Recognizing your potential and refusing to be deterred by short-term difficulties

• appreciating and not taking for granted the people and things you have

What is "focusing on the good" not?

• focusing solely on your errors and being unable to move past them

• beating oneself up and questioning one's value

• being overconfident while ignoring all dangers

• It's important to remember that, even while "focus on the good" is a potent attitude, it doesn't imply that you should only notice the positive things.

Rather, it calls on you to be aware of both the positive and negative aspects and psychologically ready for both.

How can one maintain positivity when it's difficult?

Only optimists possess the ability to concentrate on the positive. It's a muscle that may get stronger with practice.

So how can you maintain your optimism in adversity and uncertainty? Here are some practical suggestions for keeping your attention on life's positive aspects.

Find the learning experience

Knowing what doesn't work is just as vital as knowing what does, if not more so. Failures won't seem as scary once you view them as an opportunity to develop and learn.

And you'll be able to look past your irritations and concentrate on what you can do differently the next time.

Follow your development

It's possible for enhancements to go unnoticed and for adjustments to be tiny. It's difficult to continue and maintain your optimistic attitude when you are unaware of your progress.

Not only is keeping track of your progress essential for success. You may also view your value and your strengths and choose to concentrate on the positive.

Allocate time for relaxation

It may sound contradictory, but you need more than just mental fortitude to be strong-minded. Your physical health is the cornerstone of your mental health.

And it's difficult to stay optimistic when you're worn out, burned out, or sleep-deprived. Therefore, permit yourself to take pauses. And you may return to your life with a more composed, clearer head.

Make a list of the "bad stuff"

Sometimes we cannot perceive the good because we believe the evil to be unavoidable and terrifying. Writing out the worst-case scenarios might help, for this reason.

Writing out your fears and anxieties forces you to go through your unfavorable feelings. It provides clarity, which lessens the terror of the unknown.

Try to list the negative outcomes that may occur, for instance, if you are anxious before an interview:

• You are tardy.

• A query cannot be addressed.

• The business isn't what you anticipated.

• You are not hired.

You can be more prepared and hence boost your chances of success if you list them out. Even if you don't receive the job, you can still gain from the experience.

Notice your victories

No matter how minor, a personal accomplishment is worth recognizing. The celebration's style is not important. You may treat yourself to new clothes and a self-date. Whatever you desire, do it.

The celebration itself is crucial. Your brain develops a reward system as a result. You are awarded every time you accomplish a little aim. Thus, you desire more.

You remain motivated to develop because of your mindset. You are more inclined to search for answers than to remain fixated on the issues.

Never expect perfection

Perfectionism is a significant contributor to stress and anxiety. It's challenging to look forward to the future when you regard everything that isn't perfect as faulty.

However, acknowledging your accomplishments and qualities happens when you put more emphasis on progress than perfection. It prevents you from berating yourself for even the smallest errors. You'll have the confidence to keep going and gain knowledge via experience.

Engage your creativity

You might need some creative thinking to get out of your rut and see things from a fresh angle.

People that are creative seek novel solutions to issues, which gives them hope through difficult times. They also have a positive outlook that offers them an advantage in success.

Fortunately, creativity is a skill that can be gained. Check out these suggestions for reinvigorating your creativity and give them a go.

Negative mental imagery

When everything seems to go wrong, it might be difficult for me to find the positive side. I employ negative imagery at this point to remind myself of how fortunate I already am.

On a brand-new assignment at my first employment, I once utterly failed. Humiliation and self-doubt overcame me when my manager accused me of making mistakes.

But after that, I considered the worst-case scenarios. I could have completely lost my job and my lone source of money. I didn't, though. Rather, I tried again and grow from my errors. And it may be the beginning of something wonderful.

You don't develop a positive outlook by torturing yourself with awful scenarios that may have occurred. This routine makes you conscious of your blessings and what you already have.

Be in the company of uplifting individuals.

Your outlook on life might change drastically when you have a great friend or family that constantly makes you smile. When things are difficult, the good vibes will cheer you up and enable you to see the good side.

Positive folks don't only give you compliments all the time. Instead, they provide you with suggestions for improvement that aid in the development of strong self-awareness. They support you and acknowledge your victories. When it's cloudy outside, they are the sun.

Keep a gratitude journal

Possessing gratitude is a virtue. It requires discernment to resist feeling entitled to what we have in a society where many individuals are egotistical and self-absorbed.

It is frightful yet meaningful to realize that we may lose what we take for granted. This will enable you to appreciate and recognize the positive aspects of your life.

List the excellent as a simple method to focus on the positive and be more appreciative. Start by listing three things each day for which you are grateful.

It may be the sunlight streaming through your window, a smile from a commuter, or a phone call from an old friend. Journaling your appreciation each day just takes a few minutes. However, the beneficial effects can last a lifetime.

Self-reflection

Here are a few things you can ask yourself when it's challenging to concentrate on the positive.

• How can I make the most of my circumstances?

• What can I take away from the encounter?

• What exactly did I excel at in this task?

• How can I improve for the future?

• Is there someone I can ask for guidance and assistance from?

• What are the greatest and worst possible outcomes?

Spend some time memorizing or writing down your answers to these questions. It will direct you to notice the good, concentrate on the positive, and harness your inner force.

How can you maintain optimism and concentrate on the positive?

Post your ideas, advice, or tactics in the comment section below! Don't forget to forward this article to anybody you think might find it useful.