Ten ways to be more positive every day

SACRAMENTO (JobJournal) -- A growing volume of research shows that staying positive is better for you in all kinds of ways. It's better for your health; you can cope better with stress. It's better for relationships; you keep from judging people and getting into the bad habit of gossiping. Negativity takes much more energy - always worrying, thinking of the 'what ifs' and the 'shoulds.' Being positive and living in the present will lighten your life and the mood of others around you.

1. Attitude is everything. It is the lens through which you experience your reality. Are you negative? Do you color things with fear or need? Imagine how circumstances change if you change your attitude.

2. Treat people with kindness and respect.Everyone you encounter should be valued and treated with courtesy. Acknowledge that they have feelings and their own perspective on life; they may be different than yours, but they are also valid.

3. Avoid comparison with others - whether you are looking down at the people who have not mastered special strengths or up at people who may be more experienced or accomplished. Constantly comparing yourself keeps the focus on the other person instead of what you can do, want to do, and are good at doing. Look inside and improve from there.

4. Take responsibility for your work, your actions, and your life. Don't pass the buck. Don't make excuses. Take responsibility; acknowledge a mistake, fix it, and learn from it. Don't beat yourself up about the mistake, or hang onto past errors. Resolve them, own them, and move forward. Today.

5. "That doesn't work for me." Keep this in mind when someone offers a put-down; when they cross your boundaries. Your worth comes from you; being your true self. Others cannot change your intrinsic value unless you let them. Make it clear that what they are doing doesn't work for you; keep your boundaries and move forward.

6. Respect other people's time and boundaries. If you are having a bad day, feeling stuck, or just enjoying procrastinating, make sure you don't use that as an excuse to waste other people's time or cross their boundaries. Time is the most valuable thing we have. If you feel like wasting yours, that's your decision, but don't waste other people's time.

7. Make a "What I've Done" list. Too often, people make huge to-do lists and then beat themselves up when they only accomplish a few items. Keep a master list of what you want to accomplish, so you don't forget things that are important to you, but keep a second list you update daily. Each day, keep a specific list of all the things you did and how much time you spent on them. You'll know where the day went, feel good about what you were able to accomplish, and see where you need to focus in order to finish what's most important to you.

8. Take notice of the people around you - co-workers, customers, clients, vendors, and other people you come in contact with each day. Acknowledge what they are contributing and don't take them for granted. Thank them for buying from you, for their help, their value to the relationship, and for a job well done.

9. Enjoy the little things that happen in your day. The compliment someone gave you on the insight you shared at the staff meeting. The big smile the customer gave you when they picked up their order. By recognizing your accomplishments, even if they seem small or routine, you are acknowledging a job well done.

10. Coming from a positive attitude and perspective, you will feel more in control. Consider each job and interaction as your best performance, rather than just running them together as part of your day. You will see the impact you have and the value you offer. People will be attracted to this. They will notice how well you do things and they will truly value you.

Courtesy of JobJournal.com
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