5 Tips to Harness the Power of Positivity

Most people would love to have a more positive outlook, but are stuck on where to start. Positivity is more than just a mindset, it's a way of life. With some minor adjustments in the way you're already living, you will be able to incorporate positivity into your daily life. Here are five tips to harness the power of positivity and bring about the change in your life that you've been looking for.

1. Be Present in the Moment

With the demands of everyday life, coupled with managing relationships, people often spend much of their time worrying about things they did or said in the past, or wondering what will come in the future. Your power exists in focusing on  right now. You can't live in the past or the future; the only thing you can control is how you react in the moment.

You might feel as though life is constantly throwing you curve balls, but you need to stop and understand that your life is determined by the ways you choose to react to the situations you find yourself in. React with positivity, and don't dwell on mistakes. Chances are, the people you've wronged or upset don't think about your mistakes half as much as you do, so let it go and enjoy right now.

2. Seek Out People Who Share Your Values

How many times in your life have you been in a relationship that wasn't working, or surrounded by people you didn't like, but did nothing to change the situation? It's time to take control of your present, and consider (or reconsider) the people in your life. You need friends who are supportive, who challenge you to grow as a person, not people who criticize you or burden you with their own problems. 

If your friends or partner won't help you experience a more thoughtful and present life, then it's time to seek out people who will. Start local and get involved with like-minded individuals at community events you're interested in. The best way to meet people who share your interests and values is by getting out of your rut and participating in what you love, instead of standing on the sidelines.

3. Take Opportunities When Presented

People often let their fear of the unknown, or fear of being hurt, keep them from exploring new opportunities in their lives. Part of harnessing the power of positivity is to expect the best, but if what you get is not necessarily the best, adjust your attitude appropriately. Situations in life are always opportunities to learn, regardless of what happens.

Conquer your fear of the unknown, and stop being trapped by familiarity and comfortable-but-stagnant situations. If you're looking to change your life and harness positivity, then you need to be able to seize the moment and take opportunities when they're presented. Although change can feel uncomfortable, it's necessary for any growth to happen in your life. 

4. Practice Gratitude, No Matter What Happens

Many people are hampered by their inability to be grateful for what they already have. It's easy to focus on the negative, with the media, and often friends and family, being so willing to show you how horrible the world is. You allow your life to stagnate by being ungrateful and always focusing on what you don't have.

You don't have to make your life harder by focusing on what you hate about it. Every morning when you wake up, think of the things you're truly grateful for; feel that gratitude in your heart, hold onto it in your present moment, and carry that thought with you throughout the day. It might help to keep a journal in which to write about what you're grateful for. You may be surprised at how much in your life is going right, but has been overshadowed by your negative attitude.

Download and print of our free Gratitude Worksheet.

5. Practice Positivity Daily

A shift in your perspective is all it takes to bring change to your life. Cleaning up spilled coffee may be annoying during a hectic morning, but at least you have a warm home to live in and ample coffee to enjoy --  and you'd been planning on washing the floors anyway. You don't have to be oblivious to the world, as there will be overwhelming and heartbreaking situations in life, but being weighed down by the small stuff will keep you in a rut. Learning to adjust your attitude will help you to cope when life gets hard. 

Harnessing positivity takes time and work, but when you conquer the negative habits that have been holding you down for so long, and harness the new, positive ones instead, you'll be amazed at how fast your life begins to change. Positivity is a choice you have to make every day. After some practice and a few adjustments, you will wonder why you didn't start sooner.