How do you stay positive when things don’t go as expected? Here are the ways to focus on the good and be calmer and happier.
Despite what the saying goes, it’s hard to stay positive when you are bombarded with alerting news and constant changes in life.
Whether you are a parent struggling between work and family, or a student trying to handle the pressure, you need a positive mindset to keep you grounded and sane.
While “being positive” is easier said than done, it’s a skill that can be built with consistent practice. When you retrain your mind to focus on the good, you look at life differently with peace and confidence.
So what does it mean to focus on the good, and how do you do that? Let’s get into it.
What is the meaning of “focus on the good”?
“Focus on the good, and the good gets better.” This line is often tagged as a quote about gratitude and positivity. But what does it actually mean?
The meaning of focusing on the good includes:
- Seeing the silver lining in difficult situations
- Learning the lessons from failures and setbacks
- Trusting your potential and not being discouraged by temporary hardships
- Being grateful for what and whom you have and not taking them for granted
So what is not “focusing on the good”?
- Dwelling on your mistakes and not being able to move on
- Beating yourself up and doubting your worth
- Being blindly optimistic and ignoring all potential risks
It’s worth noting that even though “focus on the good” is a powerful mindset, it doesn’t mean you should only see the good.
Instead, it requires you to see the good and bad sides and be mentally prepared for both.
How to focus on the good when it feels hard?
The capability to focus on the good is not limited to optimists. It’s a muscle that can be trained and strengthened with time.
So how do you stay positive when your life is filled with uncertainties and challenges? Here are some actionable ways to focus on the good in life.
Find the lesson
Knowing what doesn’t work is just as important, if not more important, than knowing what works. When you see failures as a chance to learn and grow, they won’t be as intimidating as they used to be.
And you will be able to see past the frustrations and focus on how you can do better next time.
Track your progress
Sometimes changes are minor, and improvements can be unnoticeable. When you are not aware of your progress, it’s hard to keep going and stay positive.
Keeping track of how far you’ve come is not only the key to success. But it also helps you to focus on the good and see your worth and strengths.
Give yourself time to rest
As counterintuitive as it may seem, you can’t rely solely on your mental strength to be mentally strong. Your physical well-being lays the foundation of mental well-being.
And when it comes to being positive, it’s hard to do so when you are exhausted, burnout, or sleep-deprived. So give yourself permission to take breaks. And you can go back to your life with a calmer, clearer, and happier mind.
Write down the “bad stuff”
Sometimes we fail to see the good because we assume that the bad is just too inevitable and scary. That’s why writing down the worst-case scenarios can turn things around.
Brain-dumping your worries and fear on paper forces you to sort through your negative emotions. It also brings clarity that makes the unknown less terrifying.
For example, if you are going to an interview and you are worried about it, try to write down the bad things that might happen:
- You arrive late.
- You can’t answer a question.
- The company isn’t what you expect it to be.
- You don’t get the job.
When you list them out, you can be better prepared, so you increase your chance of success. And even if you don’t get the job, it’s a learning experience that you can benefit from.
Celebrate your wins
A personal achievement, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. The form of the celebration is not the key. You can buy yourself a new outfit and go out on a self-date. Do whatever you want.
The key is the celebration itself. It creates a reward system in your brain. Every time you meet a small goal, you get rewarded. So you want more.
The mentality keeps you eager for improvements. And you are more likely to look for solutions instead of being stuck on the problems.
Stop expecting perfection
Perfectionism can be a major source of stress and anxiety. When you see everything less than perfect as flawed, it’s hard to have a positive outlook on the future.
But when you focus on progress instead of perfection, you acknowledge your achievements and strengths. It stops you from beating yourself up for the slightest mistakes. That will give you the faith to keep going and learn from trial and error.
Tap into your creative side
Creative thinking can be what you need to get out of the rut and see things from a new perspective.
Creative people look for new solutions to problems, which keeps them hopeful in tough times. In addition, they have a can-do attitude that gives them an edge in success.
Luckily, creativity is not something you are either born with or not. So take a look at these tips for reconnecting with your creativity and give them a try.
Negative visualization
Sometimes I struggle to see the bright side when everything seems to go the wrong way. This is when I use negative visualization to remind me how blessed I already am.
I once failed miserably on a new project in my first job. After being accused of my mistakes by my manager, I was drowned in shame and self-doubts.
But then I started imagining how things could be worst. I could have lost my job entirely and my only income. But I didn’t. Instead, I had a chance to learn from my mistakes and try again. And it could be the start of something great.
A positive mindset doesn’t come from tormenting yourself with terrible things that could have happened. However, this practice reminds you of what you already have and how lucky you are.
Surround yourself with positive people
When you have a best friend or family that always cheers you up, your point of view on life can be totally different. The positive energy will lift you up and help you see the bright side when it feels hard.
Positive people don’t just shower you with compliments. Instead, they give you constructive criticisms that help you build a strong self-awareness. They celebrate your triumphs and show you compassion. They are the sunshine on a cloudy day.
Gratitude journaling
There’s strength in being grateful. In a world where many people are selfish and self-centered, it takes clarity to not feel entitled to what we have.
Knowing we could lose what we take for granted is scary but meaningful. That will help you notice the good things in your life and cherish them from the heart.
A simple way to be more grateful and focus on the good is to list the good. You can start by writing down 3 things you are thankful for each day.
It can be the sunlight pouring into your window, the person smiling at you on the way to work, or the call you get from an old friend.
It takes less than 5 minutes each day to start gratitude journaling. But the positive results can stay for a lifetime.
Ask for help
There’s a common misconception that optimistic people are always happy and don’t need to ask for help. That’s far from the truth.
Nobody is happy 24/7. Positive people just understand how to effectively process their emotions. And asking for help is a way to do so.
Going to therapy or talking with a friend helps you be more aware of your mental wellness. It may also help you see the bright side and become mentally stronger.
Self-reflection
Last but not least, here are some questions to ask yourself when it feels hard to focus on the good.
- How can I benefit from this situation?
- What can I learn from the experience?
- What did I do well in this task?
- How can I do better next time?
- Is there anyone I can turn to for advice and help?
- What is the best and worst-case scenario?
Take some time to answer these questions by heart or on paper. It will guide you to see the bright side, focus on the good and channel your inner power.
How do you stay positive and focus on the good?
Share your thoughts, tips, or strategies in the comment down below! And don’t forget to share this post with someone that may need it.
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