Think and feel positive

An easy exercise with powerful results

One of the most effective tools that I have seen to help people shift towards a positive focus is to follow this routine for a month or two: 

Every night before bed, write down, (on paper, not a keyboard) 3-5 things that you did that day that are related to any of these criteria:

1. Had a positive outcome
2. You contributed to a positive outcome
3. Represented changes in the way that you typically do things
4. Were a success

The things that you write can be bullets – just a few words. For example, I have written things like:

• Had a good client meeting
• Did the paperwork that I had been avoiding
• Took time to relax
• Walked the dogs
• Paid the monthly bills

How does this work?

There is a lot of reliable research into understanding how we look at things. Some of this is based on work in evolutionary theory – we are programmed to see the negative, to be constantly on the lookout for potential threats and dangers. That’s a good thing.

But there are also the more positive things that we don’t think about so much. And over time, our sensors for the positive aspects of our lives get reduced by lack of usage. This simple exercise actually works towards re-establishing and strengthening our positive sensors.

And before long, we may notice a different way of seeing the world and living in it! We can feel more positive, less stressed.

Share your results

If you do this exercise (daily for 1 month) I would love to hear how it worked for you.