Don't Be That Guy

You know how in every comment section online there's always that one guy who's bitchy and moany about whatever the subject matter? Yeah, don't be that guy.

Often, there's more than one. (Looking at you, YouTube!) And of course, girls do it too, but they tend to be more passive-aggressive, whereas guys can be more up-front.

As far as I see there seems to be a strong connection between that type of behavior and low confidence/self-esteem.

This doesn't mean that all of my readers are "moaners", as it were. (Au contraire, I like to think that you're smarter than that.) It's simply a matter of how non-fident people tend to think, and how many people seem to use online comment fields as an outlet for all-round negativity.

You see, non-fidence and negative thinking go hand-in-hand. If you tend to have negative thoughts about yourself, you can't very well have a positive outlook towards life in general, right?

And, conversely, if you tend to see flaws, ugliness and shortcomings everywhere, it would likely include yourself.

Now, there's nothing wrong with questioning and critical thinking per se. But the line between critical and negative tends to be blurred, at best. And when you're non-fident, it's all too easy to let negativity take over.

I hereby implore of you... : Don't be that guy.

Whether online or IRL, just don't moan and bitch. Those people bring about nothing constructive. Their attitudes and choice of words are poisonous towards a normal, healthy environment.

"But what if I'm being negative towards something that really deserves it, like racism, misogyny, corruption, global warming, or reality-TV??"

Look. Sensible people know perfectly well that those things are messed up. But what matters isn't how we talk about them; it's how we act towards them.

If you really want to solve a problem, do something constructive to solve it. You solve nothing by simply pointing out negative aspects.

Don't be that guy who bitches and moans without bringing anything constructive to the table. Don't be that guy who does nothing but increase our collective amount of verbal sewage.

If you bitch and moan about things, chances are you'll not only look less cool to those who oppose you, but you'll likely become ingrained in the very habit of negative thinking. And that's tough to unravel when you need momentum.

"So, am I not ALLOWED to speak my mind all of a sudden?!"

Yeah, notice how you're still making negative assumptions rather than taking my words to heart.

Bottom line: Yes, there's a downside to everything. But we gotta ask ourselves: Which side would serve me best to focus on? Which side is more beneficial and constructive? Which side would be ideal working towards?

I wage that 99,99% of the time, it's the positive side.

ACTION ITEM:

Note three things which you usually perceive negatively. For each of those, write three paragraphs of 50-100 words apiece, each concerning one positive aspect of that thing.

This exercise challenges our usual habits of thinking, and makes us see things from a different, positive perspective. It'll probably surprise you how tricky -- and beneficial -- it is.

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Message From the Universe: The Origin of Your Thought Process

"Doesn't it happen like that? I mean, isn't your entire life proof?

One day you're scrimping, the next you're in the money.

One day you're lonely, the next you have friends.

Lost, then found. Ill, then well. Low, then high.

Yet with hindsight, it becomes ever so clear that the only thing that ever really changed was your thinking. Even though you were free to think as you pleased the entire time.

History need not repeat itself,

The Universe"

So what came first, the Chicken or the Egg? The negative thinking or the result thereof? Your thoughts are a predominant factor to what will happen to you in the near future, so even though we all know that life is like a roller-coaster, your thoughts do not need to be. No one has any control about how life will come at you, or the challenges you will need to face on a daily basis. No one can control if you will be ill or well, or if you will be rich or poor, regardless on how much you work hard. Life is not racist, nor religiously based. It will hit you whenever it feels like it. Most people will just say: "well, if I am predestined to get sick or be poor, why bother?". This is exactly when YOU should bother and prove that life will not bring you down. You need to really fight for what you believe in. Life is an entity in itself, and it will come and prey on the weak souls. Will you let it prey on you? Show life what you are made of and fight back until your last breath, because if you don't fight hard enough, it might just be. No one really knows what to expect when it comes to your life or anything else that might happen if you don't keep your thoughts under control. More you focus on the bad, more bad will come. The opposite is also true. However, how can you ask someone who is experiencing hell in their lives to think positively? How can that be feasible? My only guess is that you will be feeling lots of pain after getting heavily slapped by that person. No one wants to hear your preaching when they feel hopeless and why life is so vindictive against them. They all ask: "What have I done to deserve all this crap?"

The truth of the matter is that you haven't really done anything to deserve this kind of outcome, but the issue here is not what have you DONE, it's mostly what have you been THINKING. A combination of many negative thoughts coming in regularly can cause your demise. Let's put it this way. If you act upon something in a physical way, the results of your actions are tangible, visible and perceivable. However, your thoughts couldn't be seen or touched, they can ONLY be remembered, if you do recall them. The thoughts you have today will NOT be remembered in a month from now, as their outcome is not YET existent. Nothing really happened to you for your thoughts to be the cause of your existing misfortune. You are not experiencing any issues at this moment for you to recall these negative thoughts. The process (of thinking negatively) keep repeating itself as you don't think that your thoughts have anything to do with what you are dealing with. As time progress, you lose sight to your thinking and totally forget the content of your thoughts. You do not recall that your conscious mind is directly related to the experiences and challenges you are facing today. In retrospect, you are accusing others to being the cause of your misfortune. Sorry to be busting your chops here, but guess what? YOU ARE THE CAUSE. Starting changing your mind so all outcomes will become controllable by you ONLY. You need to change your inner thinking before understanding what can come next.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-The-Origin-of-Your-Thought-Process&id=9574732

Life Design: What Are the Benefits of Positive Affirmations?

Affirmations are easy to use. And if we strip them of any philosophical meaning (like the Law of Attraction stuff) they are simply examples of positive self-talk.

So that means you can use affirmations without feeling like you're auditioning for a role in the next 'The Secret' movie. Positive self talk is a good thing. And it isn't weird.

The benefits of affirmations

The main thing you have to get your head around is the value affirmations have. Primarily, they are used to rid yourself of limiting beliefs. If you take on the challenge and use affirmations regularly and with full conviction, you'll also find that they change the way you think.

And that's the real value.

By changing the way you think over time, you arm yourself. You become resistant to negativity or unhelpful thinking. And the more positive affirmations you have, the better your life will be.

This, of course, works both ways. Too much negative thinking means you're going to feel bad, then worse, and then you'll hit rock bottom.

Stress Killer

When you're under stress, in a social situation for example, positive affirmations are invaluable. They'll help you fight through the stress and find a way around issues.

By saying to yourself, 'I'm funny and charming', or 'Everyone here wants to know my story', you're coaching yourself. And the more you do it, the more confident you'll be. And this leads to incredibly positive social experiences.

You think better

If you're using affirmations, and using them regularly, you're thinking about thinking. You're taking charge of your thoughts and becoming more self-aware. This pushes you towards a situation where you are more in control of your mind, as well as more aware of your own needs and desires.

You'll live longer

Obviously, I can't guarantee this last one. But some research has shown that people who are optimistic will live longer. Your cardiovascular health will improve, and this means you'll be more robust, healthy, and it could indeed enhance your life expectancy.

These benefits can be realised as long as you make the use of affirmations a habit. If they're not done regularly they won't take hold and change your life.

Make it important to yourself to build in affirmations to your everyday life. Like most habits, this will eventually turn into real, tangible results. Simply find some you like and then make it your goal to focus on them every day.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Life-Design:-What-Are-the-Benefits-of-Positive-Affirmations?&id=9932953

Message From the Universe: Be Careful What You Wish For

Know what's missing from most people's lives?

The realization that nothing is missing from their lives.

You already have whatever you may be looking for.

And "I got you, babe" -

The Universe"

It takes a few months of positive thinking to experience its outcome. You need to have a lot of patience and regardless of the hell you are living today, you know that there is always light at the end of this dark tunnel. Bad weather is never consistent, there is always warmth and sunshine coming right after. You just need to learn to exercise your thoughts, just like you work-out at the gym to keep yourself healthy. Positive thinking requires developing certain muscles in your brain that requires constant attention and not allow negative thinking to pollute your territory. Just think of negative thinking as eating junk food. It's somewhat good in taste but very bad for your body. Just like FEAR, your mind is creating these thoughts because its easier than thinking positive. When faced with difficult challenges, you are tempted to say that life is not fair, that the world is against you, that you do not deserve anything good from happening, and so on and so forth. You suddenly allow junk to come into your mind and pollute your mental health by focusing your attention on the things you do NOT want. Anything that is easy in life is somewhere better and less stressful. However, if you really want to work on your success, start focusing on the work you need to do to bring yourself back in top mental shape.

It is said that if you work diligently in being positive, focusing on things you want, either being wealth, health glory or whatever else you wish for. By thinking hard and being clear with the Universe with your life's desires, you are creating yourself a path to excellence. There will always be negative thoughts trying to enter your mind here and there, that is perfectly normal as some doubts will find its way into your mind. Take your time to analyze these thoughts, why are they creeping in, why are they taking some valuable real estate space in your mind? Self-awareness is crucial, as well as self-worth. Never forgo one or the other, because they are your foundation to a better life. So what is self-awareness? As per Wikipedia, it is: " the conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires". Many are unaware of who they are, of their purpose in life, of what they want and not able to express it either. They are not clear with the Universe and are too afraid to ask for anything. They put a road block in their mind and allow a slew of negative thinking swarming in their subconscious. Result? Feeling miserable, not getting what you want and coming to realization that the Universe is there to bring more fortune to the fortunate, and more misery to the rest of the population. The Universe doesn't discriminate, so go out there and get your share. It will be worth it.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-Be-Careful-What-You-Wish-For&id=9589059

The Longest Journey Starts With A Single Step

To become successful, you have to start at the beginning because it is a process. To finish any great endeavor, you have to start first at the very beginning and work throughout the end. Remember a winner never quits whatever setbacks are there along the way.

The success in every undertaking takes one step to arrive at the next one to move on without fail. Always strive for more, build and expand your career and yourself as an individual. The more you develop yourself, the more the possibility for you to succeed in any given area of your life. To get from where you are to where you want to be. It should be aligned with the direction of your dreams. Map out the circumstances you need in order to get ahead in your life. Create a door by taking actions in the direct pursuit of your goals and by being passionate about what you want.

Make realistic goals. A taste of success in one of your goals will motivate you to achieve the next goal. Either right or wrong, you start moving forward. That's the time that you learn because each right or wrong step will provide you wisdom and direction.

Make yourself accountable and push through any habits of laziness or negative thinking. Track every action that pertains to an area where you want to see progress such as your finances, health, career, or relationships. Noting your progress and missteps is the path to step up the ladder of success which forces you to be conscious of your decisions.

Once you have become cognizant of the steps, move towards producing a very powerful side effect by being committed, you attract others who are committed. If you're growing, you attract other people who are growing too which puts you in a position to start creating a network of like-minded people who help each other to succeed. Be willing to pay for your personal growth by visualizing your desired outcomes at all times, involving yourself in personal development to feel a sense of accomplishment in every tangible area of your life.

You need to have authority and power over your own emotions to succeed. You may not have completely understand how much your energy level would go down as a result of your commitment. But success is more than worth all the great sacrifices you undergo in starting your first step to reach your journey.

This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. Take your first step now before everything's too late.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Longest-Journey-Starts-With-A-Single-Step&id=9711630

Are You A Happy Person, What Do You Say?

What do you say about yourself? Are you a happy person? If your reply is in negative then you need to think over it. All your education, intelligence, money, status and success is meaningless if you are not living a happy life. What is the reason of living if a person is not happy with his life?

I firmly believe that it is the right of every person to live a happy life but most people are not aware how to. Psychologists believe that 90% of our happiness depends on us while 10% depends on external circumstances, on which we have no or little control. If we are not living a happy life then it means that we are depriving ourselves of our 90% happiness due to our own narrow or negative thinking.

Always keep in mind that happiness has nothing to do with money or circumstances. I have seen rich people living unhappy life and poor people living happy life. In fact, it is the inner state of one's mind which keeps a person happy. You need to train your mind to be happy. If you decide to be happy no one can snatch your happiness. Some people are so much determined to be happy that even living in the worst circumstances, they manage to keep themselves happy. I salute such positive people.

I must stress that the top most reason of being unhappy is the negative thinking of a person. Negativity can ruin a person's life beyond imagination. My motto is "Positive Thinking, Happy Living". I am of the view that if you think positively, you can live happily, no matter whatever your circumstances. It is up to you how do you want to spend your life. How do you see, feel and live your life. How do you treat yourself, being a happy or an unhappy person.

It is a painful fact that the number of unhappy people in this world is increasing at a much higher pace than the happy people. On a daily basis, you see unhappy people everywhere, in the streets and in any business or organization, whereas, happy, helpful and cheerful people are rare to find. Because of the unsatisfied human nature, we are not in the habit of appreciating what we have. We have interlinked our happiness with the accumulation of material things and this is our biggest mistake. Things do not give happiness, thinking does.

To be happy is much easier than you think. All that you need is to cultivate the seeds of happiness in your mind. Why depend on others or circumstances? Why not create your own world, your own joy and your own happiness. No one else can make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Be the master of your own fate and the master of your own happiness. Choose to be happy. Bury your worries deep in the soil and start digging out the gems of happiness from there.

Be the master of your own destiny and the torch bearer of your happiness. A happy person gets happiness by giving and sharing. Share your fortunes with the less fortunate people. The more you give the more you get happiness in abundance and that is the beauty of giving. A kind hearted person is a happy person. Be a kind person. Be a helpful person. Appreciate the good qualities of other people.

Start your day with a positive state of mind. Every morning bow your head before God in gratitude for all His blessings. Be grateful to God for being in good health. Spend some time in praying and early morning meditation.

Be the master of your own destiny and the torch bearer of your happiness. Always keep in mind that a happy person:

- fights negativity with full force

- lives a purposeful and meaningful life

- is an honest and hardworking person

- is a kind and helpful person

- is a creative person who can create something out of nothing

- spends some time alone in meditation and establishing a link with God

Not only live your life as a happy person but also spread happiness. Making other people happy is not only a great service of mankind but also a source of seeking inner happiness.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-A-Happy-Person,-What-Do-You-Say?&id=9670698

5 Tips to Stay Positive During Recovery

Overall, the addiction recovery phase for drinking problems is quite a strenuous journey that demands immense will power to get back to a healthier life. It takes an individual's time and effort to stay sober and control cravings to stay away from alcohol and other addictive substances.

Moreover, one has to also overcome certain situations that tend to force a person to relapse to old drinking habits. In such, and similar other situations, it is essential to ensure that people stay strong and resolute against any obstacles that can digress them from their commitment to quit alcohol addiction.

As such, anyone trying to win the race against alcohol addiction can experience a relapse. Often, negative thinking becomes a major barrier in an individual's path toward recovery. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the person stays away from any negative influences and remains positive while going through the recovery process.

Here are some simple ways by which a person can stay positive during the difficult phase of recovery:

1. Stay happy: Overall, happiness is the key to success, even in the case of recovery from an alcohol addiction. This includes staying positive during the whole process. One should indulge in activities and hobbies that interest him or her. This will help the person remain joyful and stay in a better mood.
2. Exercise regularly: Unlike the popular perception about exercise, it does not necessarily refer to undergoing activities that might exhaust a person completely. It can include a mix of things, including cycling, swimming, jogging, etc. In fact, other relaxation techniques like yoga and Zumba are also excellent ways to release endorphins, the mood-boosting neurotransmitters, in the body. Undoubtedly, physical activities by burning off excess calories and relieving stress, are an excellent way to stay happy.
3. Communicate with loved ones: During the recovery process, effective communication with loved ones is essential to overcome emotional hurdles. Staying in touch with friends and family is important, as this will help a person in sharing his or her fears, doubts and uncertainties with his or her loved ones. It is also important to instill positivity and inspire the person to continue walking on the path of sobriety.
4. Have patience: One should remember that sobriety can't be attained in a single day. It requires an individual to stay positive and firm on his or her decision to recover from alcohol addiction. A person should not consider the goal to be impossible and leave the path midway. Instead, he or she should stick firmly to his or her decision by enduring symptoms and undergoing the process patiently. It is important to always remember that though certain goals take time, once achieved they can change one's life completely. Therefore, appreciating even the smallest of achievements can help in staying motivated and positive.
5. Set goals: A person under recovery should set certain attainable and realistic goals to stay motivated and inspired. It is equally important to ensure that the goals set by the person are well planned or broken into smaller achievable tasks to avoid any kind of overburden on him or her.

Quit alcohol to rediscover life

A person going through the process of recovery from an alcohol addiction should avoid going to places where it is easily available since it increases the risk of relapse. Staying happy is an excellent way to boost one's mental health and to ensure that he or she sticks to his or her goals to attain sobriety. Apart from these, it is also important to focus on self-help instead of seeking help from others to fasten the recovery process.

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Tips-to-Stay-Positive-During-Recovery&id=9627642

Being Mindful Of Your Thoughts Can Dramatically Change Your Life

Whether one's thoughts are positive or negative, they both have a tremendous effect on one's surroundings. Negative thinking causes one to hide in an irrational fear of taking risks or trying new things, therefore disabling numerous individuals and keeping them from truly achieving the quality of life that we as human beings have been taught from a tender age to achieve. Furthermore, negative thoughts compel one to seek for confirmation from their immediate surroundings that the universe is inherently full of evil and is a stressful and terrible place. On the other hand, positive thoughts are constantly seeking confirmation that the universe is a terrific place. By having a positive mental attitude, one can overcome the somewhat unreasonable confirmations that negative thoughts bring about and naturally eliminate stress.

With regard to one's psychology, maintaining a positive mental attitude enables one to seek out, as well as, expect positive results. Unlike a negative thinker, a person with a positive mental attitude believes that most of the objects that he/she may desire are attainable. This is due to the fact that their positive attitude towards life inspires them to take the necessary actions that are needed in order for them to achieve or obtain the objects of their desire. The negative thinker, on the other hand, bases his/her actions on scarcity and fear rather than on the possibilities that have been presented to them to change their current situation.

Critics of a mindful, positive, mental attitude as a means of changing one's reality believe that those who practice this belief are only ignoring the stress of reality. Proponents of practicing positive mental attitude believe that it creates a mindset of abundance. A mindset of positivity further gives one the capability to move ahead of their grim past and look forward to a much brighter future, devoid of the numerous constraints that are brought about by negative thinking. Individuals who practice mindfulness and have become equipped with positive mental attitudes are never limited by their fear of failure. A true positive mental attitude involves maintaining the conviction that one can transform their difficult situations onto a much easier, less stressful, happier, and more successful one.

There are a few simple tips that one can follow in order to achieve and maintain a positive mental attitude.

These are:

Realizing that one can control how they react to a situation

Although one cannot always control the situations and circumstances that they so often find themselves in, it is worth noting that one can control how they react when these negative situations arise. It is up to you to decide whether or not a situation will upset and stress you or whether you will take the time to assess the situation positively.

Always live life for yourself

Although it may sound selfish, trying to constantly be a "person or people pleaser" only works to cheat you of who you truly are. Additionally, having such a mindset only cripples one as it ensures that you essentially tie your happiness and feelings of fulfillment with the reactions of your peers and friends. Remember that you cannot always make everyone happy, which means that at some time or other, you too will not be happy.

Make a comprehensive list of all the positive aspects that are in your life

Having a list of all the positive aspects of your life enables one to always clearly picture the proverbial "silver lining" that outlines every dark cloud. It can be concluded that a positive mental attitude is the main difference between most successful people and those who stagnate in negative situations and suffer a poor quality of life.

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Stopping Mental Stress

How does negative thinking affect a person's stress level?

You may have already learned about the modern stress model or the sequence of events that lead to the physiological stress response.

For those of you who are not familiar with it, here's the summary:

You experience or think of something that is stressful which leads to negative thoughts and emotions.

This triggers psychological stress. You may begin experiencing signs of mental stress.

Psychological stress, if left unregulated, triggers the physiological stress response. You may experience physical symptoms of stress such as clammy hands and an elevated heart rate, even if you are at rest.

Why is it best for you to practice control over your own thoughts?

If we would look carefully at the modern stress model, we would come to the conclusion that the actual, physiological stress response only comes to the surface during moments of mental stress.

Mental stress on the other hand, doesn't just appear out of nowhere. A person only experiences mental stress if her thought patterns and emotions are working toward this particular outcome.

With these facts in mind, it becomes very clear that in order to stop physiological stress in its tracks, you need to address the causative agent, which is mental stress.

Why do we think the way we do?

I often encounter individuals who beat themselves up over the fact that they have a tendency to think and feel in certain ways especially when they have to contend with common stressors.

Your habitual responses to stressors are actually determined by 3 different yet interlocking factors:

1. DNA - Your parents' genes are partly responsible for your tendencies and general temperament.

In addition to the way you were raised, there's also the fact that you inherited your parents' chromosomes, which also means that you've inherited at least part of their personalities

So if one or both of your parents are aggressive or hotheaded, you may have the same inclinations because of your DNA.

2. Childhood - Sigmund Freud, the old father of psychoanalysis, often analyzed people's childhoods to get to the bottom of strange neuroses.

It turns out that Freud was spot on when he determined that early childhood experiences have a lot to do with how we fully develop and mature as adults.

Our individual responses to stressful situations are partly determined by how we were conditioned to respond when we were still young.

So keep this in mind when you are raising your own children; your children are not only absorbing the world at large, they are also absorbing your behavior and thought patterns!

3. Life Itself - Our DNA and early childhood experiences comprise only a small portion of the totality called the self. Your experiences as you grow older are also strong determinants of your behavior toward stressful situations.

We can't do anything about past experiences, may they be good or bad, but we can do something about our beliefs and values in the present time. We must not allow past negative experiences to dictate how we live in the present time.

Now that you are more familiar with how the mind works and why it operates in a particular manner with regards to stressful situation, it's time that you learned how to control unstable and stressful thought patterns.

How can you control seemingly unstable thought patterns?

Thought patterns are powerful, but they are never more powerful than the person itself. A thought, no matter how destructive, does not have free will or a life of its own. All negative thoughts are vulnerable and extinguishable, remember that!

Easy Mind Control Exercise

1. Find a quiet place to perform the Easy Mind Control Exercise. Get a piece of paper and write down five of the most negative thoughts you've been having for the past few months.
2. Below the first five items, write down five beautiful thoughts, memories or ideas that are directly in contrast with the first five items you wrote down.
3. Focus your mind's power on each of the undesirable thoughts and as you do, give your mind a firm command to remove the thoughts.
4. Visualize a blank space where each of the undesirable thoughts used to be. Begin placing pleasant thoughts on this blank space, to replace the negative ones that have just been driven out.
5. Repeat the exercise until you are satisfied and practice again the next day.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Stopping-Mental-Stress&id=9417105

Be Determined!

Hi there,

Many times in my life have called for me to be determined.

Can you think of a time or situation when you had to be determined in your own life?

I'd love to hear your answers to this in the comment section.

For myself I think it seemed like I was born determined, I say that because I was born 2 months premature, breech and only weighed 3 pounds 9 ounces 28 years ago, I also had a heart defect (a whole in it) and was jaundiced, and yet even as that small underweight baby DETERMINATION was the driving force that has enabled me to be here today writing to you about it and sharing my experience.

Other observed examples of determination is for example a runner on the track who injures themselves mid race, yet still continues to finish the race despite his or her injury, through the pain and struggle and all. (Please search on YouTube for the iconic and inspirational video of the athlete "Derek Redmond") who with the help and support of his father and a cheering crowd, that has to be one of the most beautiful videos and where determination was embodied.

Another question I'd like to ask is each day how do YOU think you can apply Determination to whatever it is YOU are going through?

Many have found (including myself in much recent times)that when we make a conscious effort and proactively insert determination to a situation as dire as it may seem, we start to notice a shift in the dynamics of energies and on our grasp of control and power we can feel in the midst of whatever it is that called us to action and pick up the receiver of determination.

All of us aspire to be "HAPPY." happiness and "NIRVANA" are our chase all the time, in order to get to this destination we must have the inner resolve to be DETERMINED first. This road of determination is often bypassed and diverted En route, we forget sometimes that this actually and important & vital path we must take first. Why? & How?

Because...

(1) When we decide we want to be HAPPY, do something that seems undoable etc, we have to have a resolve that we won't allow obstacles, negative thinking and energies our own or others' stop us from the decision we have made..

(2) We also need to remain focused, because our focus sometimes in our busy lives can be taken off our goals that we set, we can get side-tracked with all the distractions that life can bring and throw at us, again DETERMINATION should be the key ingredient that helps get us back on track.

So, with all that said, can we agree that when we are determined this is something positive for us, that if applied DAILY can add to life rather than take it away? And help us to beat the odds?

I'd like to close this article with an affirmation that has helped me more and more recently, and I think that will help you. Please say it with me (Can be said as many times in your day to yourself or out loud)

"Today I will hold the intention to be determined, I know that all that I want to achieve is within my power to do so, and at the end of this day, I will be proud of all that I have done."

http://ezinearticles.com/?Be-Determined!&id=9464252

Quit Being Negative!

Point 1: Positive Attitudes Always Stand Out!

In today's world, negativity runs rampant. People often tout themselves as being realistic or just 'looking at the facts' when they are actually choosing a 

negative mentality.

We all know the types of people that see the worst case scenario before ideas are fully developed. These types of people are detrimental to everyone's efforts.

When people look at the brighter, positive perspective they become more productive. When people believe they can accomplish something they are much more likely to actually reach their goal. Negative thinking is a hindrance to success and happiness.

Point 2: Happiness is a Choice!

Happiness isn't a fleeting thing that is only occurs during a vacation or right after a business win. Happiness is a choice and it needs to be cultivated, like any other important thing.

When people take a stance of happiness they are much less likely to allow small setbacks to affect their attitudes. We all have the ability to force bad experiences or unkind words to roll off our backs.

Happiness allows us to focus on what matters most and on what we want to achieve. Other people's opinions matter less when we have a positive perspective.

We have to rise above negative thinking and detrimental attitudes. Each of us possesses the power to be happy and positive.

Point 3: Nothing can be Accomplished Without Confidence!

We have to hold our heads high and expect greatness from ourselves! If you expect the worst, then you are setting yourself up for failure. Self-fulfilling prophecies are all too real. We truly become what we think about. If you think bad things are about to happen, you are probably right. However, if you expect great things are ahead you can lead yourself directly to success.

When people confidently stride through life it seems as though success just follows them around. They seem to have the world handed to them and that makes them confident. This is the wrong way of looking at the situation.

The real secret to success is being confident in your efforts. These people are not confident because they have achieved success, they are confident in themselves and therefore become successful.

Many people think they should only be confident once the have achieved their goals. This is backwards to the reality of the situation. If you want to successful, have confidence in your abilities and be positive in your attitude.

Bringing it all Together:

Each of us could make an effort to be in a better mood. Every person in the world would benefit from smiling a little bit more.

We can't sulk through life expecting bad things to happen. We have to look for the good, expect the best outcomes, and work to impact others positively. Be confident in your value as a person, employee, or a spouse.

It's time for all of us to quit being negative and start being awesome!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Quit-Being-Negative!&id=9301389

The Surprising Power of Negative Thinking

Use your negative thinking to succeed, and value all aspects of your thinking.

I'm sure you have heard these things before, especially now in an age when positive psychology is so popular: Choose to be happy. Visualize your success and you will be successful. If you believe it, you can achieve it. They're nice messages, and they're everywhere.

But scientific evidence suggests that they may not actually be helpful when it comes to achieving our goals and being successful.

Instead, more than 20 years of research by New York University's Gabriele Oettingen suggests that positive imagery can backfire on us. It can trick the mind into relaxing, making it harder for us to get our work done.

Often it's negative thinkers who turn out to be the best motivators when it comes to getting things done. Here are some reasons why:

Negative thinkers are tuned in to the challenges ahead.Thinking about future obstacles helps you begin planning strategies to overcome them. When you're telling yourself everything will work out, you aren't planning. Negative thinkers have a competitive advantage in the face of difficulties.

Negative thinkers are two steps ahead of everyone. They think of solutions before the problem even appears. You cannot stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

Negative thinkers undermine complacency. When most people expect everything to go as planned, negative thinkers are making a list of all the things that can fail. They're rarely caught off guard, and they always have a plan B.

Negative thinkers aren't so much pessimists as hard-edged realists. They can see not only problems but also opportunities before they arise. They're skilled at turning failure into lessons. They know how to cut through the bull and wishful thinking to see what's actually happening in front of them.

So maybe the negative thinkers on your team have more value than you've been giving them credit for. Remember, every point of thinking has value.

http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/the-surprising-power-of-negative-thinking.html

10 Ways To Make Your Life Better, Starting Today

9. Learn to honor yourself

The world is full of opportunities, but sometimes too much thinking can get in the way. Changing your life for the better is about picking a destination and taking one step at a time to get there. If you try to take shortcuts, you may actually end up making your journey longer and more arduous. Getting serious about making improvements is a great start, and taking action is the next important step.

Here, then, are 10 tips to help you start improving your life:

1. Be grateful for what you have. When you stop to remember what you have instead of worrying about what you may not be getting, it changes your perspective for the better.
2. Start your day the night before. The most successful people I know end their workday by making a list of what they have to do the following day or two ahead. This allows the subconscious to work on things while you sleep.
3. Be ready to grow up. Adults have the ability to learn to delay gratification, but we also have a choice as to how to behave when things don’t go our way. If you remember to take the high road, you’ll end up where you want to be.
4. Drop the attitude. If you think the world owes you a living, you might want to re-evaluate your position. It is quite possible that, by feeling entitled, you are pushing away things and people you might like.
5. Don’t ignore your emotions, but remember that feelings aren’t facts. Emotions need to be honored—they don’t have to be justified—but just because you have a feeling doesn’t mean that you are right.
6. Watch out for negative thinking. Sometimes we get into negative feedback loops and don’t even know it. If thoughts of being helpless and hopeless continue to enter your mind, you might just need to take a nap or perhaps talk with someone who can help.
7. Set up and stick to a routine. We are creatures of habit; and good habits, such as getting regular exercise, make us feel better. Maintaining good habits also helps us feel that we have some control over our lives. Just do it.
8. Drop your resentments. We all have them. Whether they are toward our parents, partners, or peers, resentments take up too much psychic space to allow us to function properly. By choosing to drop them, you will make your life much lighter. But the hardest part is making the decision to let your resentments go.
9. Know who you really are, and learn to honor yourself. We all fake it from time to time and once in a while, this can be a good thing, but never compromise your personal values and always strive to be your best self.
10. Enjoy a part of every day. Look for those little bright moments that happen all the time but that we often fail to recognize. Make a point of seeing some good in every day, and you will change your life.

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-fitness/201508/10-ways-make-your-life-better-starting-today