2020 has certainly been a rollercoaster for most. A year full of uncertainty, overwhelm, stress, fear and for some – sadly – loss. Times like these are tough but it doesn’t mean that you can’t stay positive and draw your own silver lining. Lots of people strive for happiness their whole life without realising that happiness is a state of mind.
“Remember, happiness doesn’t depends upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely on what you think”
Dale Carnegie
In order to be happy we have to create a lifestyle full of happy habits, which can include: self-care routines, daily rituals (like a morning cup of coffee sipped intentionally), exercise, positive relationships and so on.
Some of the most successful people in the world – and for me success doesn’t mean fame or wealth – have learned how to stay positive even when things look all doom and gloom around them. Can anyone train their mind to do the same? I believe so…Let’s explore how.
1- SET YOUR LIFE PURPOSE AND YOUR IDEA OF SUCCESS
People in general think of their lives as a series of events which happened to them rather than approaching it as their own creation. It’s all matter of mindset.
If you have no plan, no goals whatsoever it’s easy to get disappointed or frustrated. Having clear in your mind what success means to you and living each day purposefully towards fulfilling that idea will help having a more clear and positive attitude to life. And remember that joy is found not in finishing an activity, reaching a goal etc but on the path towards it.
2- CREATE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
“Your tribes defines your vibes”, cheesy but true! The people we choose to interact with day in and day out define the quality of our life. It is important to establish healthy boundaries even with the people we love. You should always strive to be kind, but also not let others walk all over you.
3- BE GRATEFUL AND SHOW IT
No matter how bad a situation might be, we can always try to find something to be grateful for. Manifesting what those things are daily – and letting people around us know about them too – will instantly change your surroundings in a more positive space where to live in. As Tony Robbins says “Trade expectations for appreciation and your world will change instantly”.
4- BE A SOURCE OF POSITIVITY TO ATTRACT MORE OF THE SAME
Things will not always go the way you imagined, but maybe that’s because something bigger and better is awaiting for you! I am a strong believer that you will attract whatever you put into the world: the more positive your attitude will be the more positive things will happen to you.
5- GIVE BACK
To the planet, to your community, to a cause you are strongly passionate about or simply to your loved ones. Giving back doesn’t always mean that you have to donate a large lump sum to a charity. Even helping out in a tricky family situation or giving some of your time can make the difference for someone. I can say from my experience having travelled a bunch, that the happiest people in the world I was lucky enough to meet are the ones who give without having anything.
6- DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY
Resentment, lack of forgiveness and defensiveness are a poison that can take over your mind and energy.
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will”
Epictetus
As hard as this one might be, we need to learn to let go quickly and move towards a vision of love and kindness. I find that my daily meditation really helps with this. If you are a headspace user you know it “There is always a blue sky behind the darker clouds”
7- KEEP GROWING
“Once you stop learning you start dying” said a wise Alber Eistein. There’s an empowering sense of accomplishment that comes from learning new things, getting good at something or adding a new book to your “the ones I read list”. Stay curious, always.
