“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

Your attitude toward the world is based on how you react when it treats you wrong. You can choose to interpret your circumstances as bad, or you can see them as good. When you choose to see the good, you’re tapping into the amazing power of optimism and changing your life for the better.

Here are a few ways to tap into the amazing power of optimism…

Stay away from toxic people – We all have negative Nancys in our lives. They are the naysayers, the ones who find fault in everything, who have a critical eye on the lookout for mistakes and flaws. To feel more optimistic, surround yourself with positive people. Get rid of those who are full of hate and negativity. Those who know how to face adversity, and the stress of everyday life, are the ones you want to emulate. The more you’re around them, the more you’ll become like them.

Read inspirational authors – Sometimes you just need the right spark to motivate you in a new direction. With authors like Eckert Tolle and Dr. Wayne Dyer in your bookstore’s non-fiction section, there are plenty of good role models to turn to for inspiring optimism in your everyday decisions.

Keep a journal of gratitude – One of the best ways to foster an optimistic outlook is to keep track of what you’re grateful for. It’s easy to take things for granted, or forget the little things, like the customer service you received at your favorite restaurant, but keeping track of what you’re thankful for can remind you of all the good in the world.

Help others – You build your confidence and inner self-worth when you help others. The more that you create a loving relationship with others, the more you reach out and do good for people, the more you will succeed. There is something wonderful about altruism and benevolence that cleans out all the negativity and pessimism and helps to inspire more optimism in us.

Let go and just be – What has cynicism and skepticism gotten you in life? It usually makes people very bitter and unhappy. To focus more on the positive and have an optimistic outlook, you have to train yourself to let go of some things. Most importantly, letting go of pre-conceived notions and the negative feelings you’ve attached to them. Allow the bad thoughts and toxic feelings come up and then pass through, without acting on them or speaking them. Instead, do something positive or say something positive. You might not feel it at first, but it will start working!

About Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer. He writes about inspiring things at The BridgeMaker.
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