I recall back in August of 2022, a group of us went on a hike and had some interesting conversations which somewhat inspires this article.

I am a true believer in positive thinking through a growth mindset.

I personally believe that a positive attitude is one of the most powerful assets you can have! The mind can do amazing things if you utilize it to your utmost potential, correctly. It will translate into your body executing amazing feats, unlocking hidden potential just sitting inside you. Yet, I know it is difficult.

Nonetheless, it is something you can train!

I don’t want this post to be a large in-depth scientific or psychological analysis of the mind. I just want to touch the tip of the iceberg and provoke thought about your current situation in life. Where you stand versus where you want to go and what you’ll do mentally to get there.

One reason I believe it so important is because I find that positive people find success, good health, happiness, wealth, and have rewarding relationships throughout their lives and I’ll take mine as an example. These types of people choose the attitude they want (positivity in this case) – something I often (when you speak with me) refer to as “mindset”.

I mean the law of attraction is that positive thoughts lead to positive results, no?

Honestly, it’s not always all “happy-go-lucky”. There are days I personally struggle to see the positive aspects of my day and I recently had one such day. The power of positive thinking is to utilize that strength of turning “those” days or moments into power plays – by being grateful, pushing out the negativity, and looking at the situation or environment from a different angle.

So after dinner the kids being in bed, Renata and I decided to take a short break and just turn off. We sat on the couch and ended up watching “The Pursuit of Happyness” and it reminded me of how blessed we are to have what we have. It reminded me of the “why” in life. That thin line between being satisfied and aiming for more. Those are the moments where positive “kicks” get you back into your flow.

The Why

Your thoughts are much more powerful than you think and they are more than just electric signals between synapses. They have the ability to define you and affect those around you. If you look at leaders and the root of their success you will notice similarities, say Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie, Napolean Hill, Tony Robbins, and countless others.

It is true that the most successful people throughout history have all recognized the power of positive thinking. Even Gandhi was a strong advocate of positive thinking. He is reported to have said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.”

They understand the power of positive thinking. As mentioned, it is not easy to summon this way of creating thoughts. Thinking on command, however, I do believe that with patience, meditation, and practice you can change your overall mentality.

I notice this in my day to day doings. There have been days I struggle and spill out negativity without end, but over the years have learned that positivity is amazingly rewarding – no matter the circumstances.

The How

Great. Positive thinking. You may be sitting here reading this and saying “I do think positively, but nothing comes of it” or “I struggle with this because so many things in my life just are not right” (whether work, personal, family, etc.), yet I believe anyone can master this way of thinking. This style of life and mindset.

What do you need to do?

Here are a few points to get you spurring on some thought patterns:

1. You. As obnoxious as it may sound, the first thing you need to do is to believe in yourself and that you CAN become a positive thinker. How? Take some time out and invest and commit yourself to your own personal development. Get up each morning and meditate. Focus on yourself and believe that you can think positively. Examine how you invest in yourself and make observations. Note them down! See if your personal investments are constructive or destructive. If they are destructive, then try to eliminate them. If constructive, then perfect them.

2. The Group. Next, group with others on a similar journey, whether friends or family, perhaps a new acquaintance. Whether they are ahead or behind does not matter. Others in this trusted group always project who they are and in that zone, you will too. You will begin picking up traits and ways of approaching things.

3. Knowledge. Read books that talk about handling the lessons and challenges that come up in life and that mirror those you want to overcome in yours. In a few years, you’ll find that your story of triumph over adversity mirrors those you read about. I love reading non-fiction. Stories from Obama to Schwarzenegger to Michael Johnson. You’ll find that encouraging words and tales of success will begin to incorporate in the way you think. That does not mean you strive to be like them, it means you process what their journeys are in a fraction of what a book can dispell.

4. Physical. You need to incorporate the practice of daily exercise (or as often as possible). Anything from a brisk walk to freeletics. Physical fitness pours out endorphin’s and simply makes you happy. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. It is a temple I have neglected time and again, but never forgotten. Ensure a balanced diet and adequate rest. One thing I also suggest and something I have incorporated into my day is more stretching. It allows me to focus on me and what I envision.

In Closing

I just want to give you a short glimpse of my thinking. I could write a whole white paper on the topic yet, in summary, I want to sum it up in two words – be realistic. Everyone has “down” moments and that’s fine. A positive attitude is more than the sum of your feelings at any particular moment. If a loved one passes away or you are facing a challenge that feels overwhelming at the moment, it doesn’t mean that you’re not a positive person. Positive people have every right to feel sad. It’s even healthy to express those feelings from time-to-time. Just remember that those moments don’t define us.

Think positive! It’s about you and not about what others think of you.

Reach out and let me know your thoughts.

Make it happen!