The Power of Positive Attitude
Benefits of Positive Thinking, Positive Mental Attitude, & Optimism.
Positive attitude, positive thinking, and optimism are now known to be a root cause of many positive life benefits—the good life and well being. You'll live longer and be healthier and happier with a positive attitude toward life. In addition, you're more likely to be successful. Learn to use the power of thinking positive, adopting positive attitudes, and affirmations to gain important life benefits.
What is Attitude?
Attitude is a mental position relative to a way of thinking or being; a leaning toward that which you believe. A positive attitude is, therefore, the inclination to generally be in an optimistic, hopeful state of mind.
The Power of Positive Thinking
A positive attitude and optimistic thinking early in life predict health and well being in later years. Analysis of 99 Harvard graduates found a strong correlation between their optimistic thinking as college students and good health at age 40 and above.
In his ground-breaking book, A Primer in Positive Psychology, Christopher Petersen, PhD, says, "...optimism has demonstrable benefits, and pessimism has drawbacks." He goes on to say, "...optimism...has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to perseverance and effective problem solving; to academic, athletic, military, occupational, and political success; to popularity; to good health; and even to long life and freedom from trauma."
Even if you have been a pessimistic, negative thinker for many years, it's not too late to change your way of thinking and reap the benefits of a positive attitude.
Characteristics of a Positive Attitude and Optimism
Optimists believe they are accountable for good things and that good things will generally come their way. If something bad comes instead, optimists tend to write it off as an isolated incident, an anomaly, or something out of their control; optimists believe things will be better in the future.
Positive Thinking Takes Practice
If you're a person whose first thoughts about the meaning of something that's happened are negative thoughts, be encouraged by the knowledge that the first step toward a positive attitude and positive thinking is to simply think another thought. Thoughts are under your control. Your pessimistic way of thinking is habit; habits can be changed.
- When you catch yourself thinking a pessimistic thought about an event in your life, first evaluate the evidence. What are the facts—not the fears—but the facts?
- Next, think of alternate explanations and future outcomes. When your old car suddenly makes a strange noise you may jump to the pessimistic conclusion that repair will be costly, but maybe a minor repair will solve the problem.
- Remind yourself to follow this approach with a daily affirmation such as this: When I have a negative thought I immediately evaluate the facts and think of positive alternatives that also fit the facts.
Practice the positive thinking approach outlined above and you'll find it soon comes naturally. You may be amazed to realize that you simply feel better with a positive attitude.
Learn to use positive affirmations to reinforce your attitude with these instructions for powerful positive affirmations.
Using your unique core strengths is always a positive experience.
Readers enjoying this article may also like Positive Attitude, Motivation, and Productivity and How to Cheer Up.
More related material under Mind & Attitude in the index.
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