Positive Mind For A Change

Source : TheMindFool

“We think we have to be successful, then we’ll be happier. But the real problem is our brains work in the opposite order,” said Shawn Achor in his charming, immensely popular TED Talk from TEDxBloomington.

Shawn Achor is the CEO of consulting firm Good Think, which conducts research on positive psychology and helps people apply it to be happier and more effective at work. His latest book, Before Happiness, addresses elements that are needed to develop a positive mindset for change. He argues that if you think positively, you can be more productive, but there is a danger of trying to speed too quickly toward an end goal of perceived success.

We can be irrationally optimistic about our goals and the time it will take to reach them, which can lead to frustration. Optimism is good for a lot of things, but it won't stop reality from hitting us. We don't want to turn a blind eye to the negative, as it can lead to bad decisions in the future.

So is there a wrong way to set goals for yourself?

Part of the frustration that can oftentimes come from trying to speed towards certain goals is that sometimes those goals are irrational. People often get frustrated because they pick huge goals which are way off in the future. Let’s start with a realistic assessment of where we are, but maintain the belief that our behavior matters in the present: Can I work out today? Can I keep practicing math? Can I keep practicing this musical instrument?

The author's talk and books rely on anecdotes and analogy to illustrate their research. They believe that research is useless unless it is lived, so they tried to take the research they were doing in laboratories and apply it to the real world. They found that if they provide humor and connect at an emotional level, people will remember information much longer. They also believe that if it is practical, emotional or humorous, and science-based, it has the best chance of creating an educational revolution.

As we digest that information, we couldn’t help but give you the best tips for having a positive mind. Here’s how.

1. Smile more. You’ll benefit more if the smile is genuine, though. So look for humor and spend time with people or things that make you laugh.

2. Reframe your situation. When something bad happens that’s out of your control, instead of getting upset, try to appreciate the good parts of the situation.

3. Keep a gratitude journal. A study found that people who kept gratitude journals felt more thankful, positive, and optimistic about the future. They also slept better.

4. Focus on your strengths. Each day for a week, think about one of your personal strengths, like kindness, organization, discipline, or creativity. Write down how you plan to use that strength in new ways that day. Then, act on it.

With practice, you can add more positive thoughts to your life and enjoy the benefits that come with optimism.

Source: TED