Simple Optimism

By Robin Skeen

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Do you think negative out of habit? Do you find yourself expecting something bad without any clear reason why? This is destructive because it takes over your life. It affects your state of mind, how you feel emotionally and pretty much you entire life. When you're stuck in this kind of mind set, it is impossible for there to be any hope that something good could happen. The good part about this is that habits are made to be broken. All you need is a little effort and practice. Here are three suggestions for learning how to be more optimistic in some simple ways.

>) Is the doom and gloom real?

If you are always expecting terrible things to happen, you cannot help but think of the worst possible scenario to any situation. Think about it for a moment. Do you actually have any proof of what could happen? Probably not, because you are set on autopilot to look at things like a pessimist. The next time you find yourself predicting a gloomy outcome, just ask yourself why you think that is the case. How do you really know if the worst is going to happen? How about you just wait and see and keep yourself open to a better possibility?

>) Make a choice that the outcome will be better.

Being a pessimist is a choice. You can take a more proactive stance by choosing to see the possibilities of a better result. Even better, simply choose how you want thing to go! Self-talk in a positive or negative manner will always have an effect on whether things turn out well or not. Tell yourself that everything will be great and then expect it. Choose the best possible outcome to every situation and focus on that. Even if that particular outcome does not happen, you may be surprised at the good that does come to you. You will not know if you fail to try. Yes, it sounds really simplistic and maybe a bit silly at first. But, if you practice it enough, being an optimist can become a habit. Try making a game of it and predict the most elaborate outcome you can imaging and watch what happens.

>) Turn your focus on your beliefs.

Your pessimistic outlook comes from what you truly believe. If you have been told your entire life that you will never reach your goals, this will certainly bring on the doom and gloom thoughts whenever you attempt to accomplish anything. You tell yourself that it will never work, that you can't do it and on and on. Certainly if you tell yourself something long enough, you do believe it. After all, you wouldn't lie to you, now would you? When you do find yourself being a pessimist, stop and ask yourself why you are having those thoughts? Why do you hold the belief that you will never succeed? Why do you believe that there is no point in trying? A better way to look at it would be to ask yourself why you will succeed. Why will thinks work out anyway?

If you really make it your mission to answer these questions, you will be amazed, and in a very positive way!