Positive Thinking: How to Focus on What’s RIGHT (not WRONG)

We all know how to focus on what’s WRONG – with the world, with other people, and especially with ourselves. That’s easy! We are constantly bombarded with messages of being “not good enough” when told that in order to be happier, more fulfilled, a better parent, better lover, better person we need X, Y, or Z. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking that the latest product or service can “fix” us or change us into the person we long to be. But when we look outside ourselves to feel better inside, it generally leads to more wanting of stuff and less actually feeling better about anything.

It’s more challenging to focus on what’s RIGHT (or going well). But imagine what life would be like if we spent the same amount of time and energy we generally do focusing on what’s WRONG, and instead focus on what’s RIGHT? Right with ourselves, right with others, and right with the world. Because as simple as it sounds, what we focus on and think about expands and gets drawn to us, whether it’s positive or negative.

Ask yourself what you would like to attract? More negativity, lack, and wanting? Or more positivity, joy, and contentment?

Imagine just for a moment how life would be different if instead of giving in to the pressure of finding fault with yourself and those around you, you focused on:
-How you can brighten someone else’s day or ease their burden
-What you can do to show love to yourself consistently
-Embracing and accepting yourself as you are
-The positive qualities and strengths of yourself and others
-The amazing things being done to help people in your community and around the world

Can you see how focusing on those things would change the way you think…about yourself, others, and the world around you? Think about how it would also change your attitude and your actions.

To start focusing on the positive and what’s going well, here’s your challenge for the next week:

1. Pick one of the things on the list above to focus on for the next week. Write it down and keep it with you at all times, preferably where you can see it multiple times a day.
2. Say what you are focusing on aloud 10 times each day. For example, if you chose “what I can do to show myself love consistently” say something like “I consistently show myself love today” or “I choose to love myself today.”
3. Journal about your experience daily (or at the very least at the end of the week). Write what you notice about your mood, your attitude, your thoughts, and how you feel. Also write down any differences you notice about what you said or did this week. Read what you wrote and notice if it is different from how you were doing before the challenge.

While it may be easier to focus on what’s wrong because that’s what so many people around us are doing, it is more productive and healthier to focus on what’s right. What do you really have to lose other than a poor attitude and a negative outlook?