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How to develop a positive mental attitude and "Fire Up" your brain for maximum productivity

An ultimate guide to Instantly boost your mental attitude

What you'll learn in this article: Table of content...

1. How to influence your world and quality of life with a positive mindset
2. Simple ways to instantly pump up your optimism level
3. How to discover innovations and opportunities where everyone else sees only problems
4. How to develop a natural resistance to illness
5. Visualizing Success: A powerful yet simple way to motivate yourself even when you don't feel like It!
6. Unmet expectations and their impact on positive mindset
7. Practical steps for fulfilling your expectations
8. How to stop worrying about what everybody else is doing and start doing what you believe will make a difference
8. An internal motivational trick that will dramatically boost your confidence and performance
9. Essential steps to break free from performance anxiety
10. Develop faith in yourself: How to stop doubting yourself and start believing in yourself!
11. Positive thinking exercises that can help stop negative self-talk

Developing a positive mental attitude is an essential aspect of personal growth. It is much easier to deal with life's "little things" when you are in a good mood and are not clouded by negativity. 

Your Mental attitude: The secret weapon to turn limiting beliefs into fuel for achievement

A positive mental attitude affects every area of your life and can dramatically change your chances of success in all aspects of your life. It is a handy psychological tool that allows you to look at problems differently.

It is a mindset that helps you deal with obstacles as opportunities instead of threats. A positive mental attitude is a critical ingredient in the formula for success.

Why do I say this?

You see, your mindset is the collection of thoughts and beliefs you have about yourself, your world, and the future.

These thoughts and beliefs determine your emotional state, which in turn affects your physical health, your mental/emotional state, and, to a lesser degree, your relationships with other people and the environment.

In other words, your mindset affects everything about you.

But...

There is a big difference between having a "positive mental attitude" and just being positive. A positive mental attitude is developed over time through consistent and focused practice.

In this article, I'll explain what it takes to develop a positive mental attitude and give you specific tips on how to achieve it successfully.

Let's dig in...

How to influence your world and quality of life with a positive mindset

"Focus on the positive aspects of your life, and create an "upward spiral" of positive change that will influence everything in your life for the better. This way you develop habits to help improve your mental, physical and spiritual health" 

Adewale Ademuyiwa

Happiness is not the result of good luck or unexpected circumstances. It is your thoughts that can influence a state of being that.

Therefore, if you learn how to think more positively consistently, you will raise your level of happiness. And this will have an incredible effect on your quality of life.

Most people spend most of their time and energy focusing on what they are unhappy about in their lives.

This is a huge waste of time. Instead, you need to spend your time and energy focusing on the things you do like in your life. If you do this consistently enough, you will begin to create an environment around you that is conducive to having more of the things you like.

This will snowball into an environment where more of your life is enjoyable. And this will lead to an increase in your overall level of happiness.

Wherever you are right now in your life, whether it's the first step on the path to success or someplace you would like to be, thinking more positively will get you closer to where you want to be.

Thinking more positively is easy to say but challenging to do. Most people find it easier to complain than to praise.

Complainers blame outside forces (such as luck) for their problems, whereas promoters attribute their successes to their efforts. If you learn how to think more positively consistently, you can dramatically enhance your quality of life.

 Optimistic Brain: Simple ways to instantly pump up your optimism level

Most people would agree that we are affected by positive and negative stimuli.

The problem occurs if you interpret the negative as more important than the positive.

And you convince yourself that the negative thought or feeling was the dominant one, instead of just seeing it as another thought that occurred in the same moment as the positive thought.

This thinking pattern can naturally lead you to miss out on life's joys and enjoyments. It can also keep you stuck in a downward spiral of negativity and prevent you from moving toward a more balanced and contented life.

It is crucial to be aware that both positive and negative stimuli will influence you... but... you have a choice about how we process these stimuli.

You can decide whether to accept or reject the negative, or you can decide to let go of it and allow the positive to take over. 

How to use optimism to discover innovations and opportunities where everyone else sees only problems

Here's a crucial point...

If you are too close to a problem, it will be difficult to see the opportunity. You see, when you are close to something, you tend to get emotionally involved.

This emotional involvement then causes you to focus on the negative aspects of the situation instead of the positive aspects. The bottom line is that you will miss the boat entirely on the innovation and opportunity right in front of your eyes by being too close to the problem.

To prevent this, it is essential to look at the world through the eyes of a child. The childlike mind is open and curious, not jaded by life's trials and tribulations.

It seeks answers, not reasons.

It wonders why things are the way they are and isn't afraid to ask questions.

A childlike attitude will help you find new ways to look at a problem which can lead to new opportunities.

The first step to innovation and opportunity is to stop trying to solve a problem with the same thinking that created that problem in the first place. Look at the situation through fresh eyes.

Don't analyze; just observe. Do this often and you will become a living example of "out-of-the-box" innovation. You will see problems differently and thus come up with solutions that you did not consider before.

This insight is how great innovators like Henry Ford, Thomas Alva Edison, Bill Gates, and great inventors think.

They don't analyze problems. They simply observe them and then go off in a different direction to work out a solution.

How to use a positive mental attitude to develop  natural resistance to illness

Having a positive mental attitude can help you to avoid stress. Stress is proven to reduce your immune system's ability to fight off cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.  As such, anything that helps you reduce stress will also help you recover faster from illness. 

The speedy recovery means that you are less likely to suffer from chronic disease than people with negative mental attitudes.

And because you can bounce back quickly from problems, you are less likely to struggle with mental illness, which means that you will be less depressed and anxious, and have a greater sense of well-being.

One way to achieve this greater sense of well-being is through Visualization.

You see, visualizing success can cause the production of dopamine, which helps you succeed at dealing with obstacles and challenges.

The neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in motivation, attention, and working memory. So the more you can produce, the better.

But I don't believe in this "positive thinking" stuff. It doesn't work for me.

Visualization is a lot more than just putting a positive spin on things.

It goes a lot deeper than "positive thinking".

Studies show that visualizing yourself as happy, thin, healthy, for example, creates neurochemical and physical brain changes that influence your body to achieve what you are visualizing. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-visualizing-your-body-doing-something-help-you-learn-to-do-it-better/

Visualizing Success: A powerful yet simple way to motivate yourself even when you don't feel like It!

Visualization increases concentration. It makes you aware of all the little details involved in achieving your goals. It trains your mind to see things positively.

It increases your self-esteem because you start to see yourself as more important than you are. It causes you to start acting (and feeling) like a real success, which creates an emotional boost that serves as a "pick me up" and gives you a sense of well-being.

If you visualize failure often enough, you will create an unconscious mental image in your mind of what failure looks like.

This mental picture will then become your "failure prototype". A failure prototype that affects your future decisions unconsciously. Making you feel uncomfortable, anxious and unsure about yourself.

But what if the things I am visualizing won't happen? What's the point?

The truth is that you will never know what will happen until you experience it happening.

Therefore, the only real way to find out is to just go for it and allow things to unfold naturally. 

Using this technique gives you the chance to "program" your subconscious mind to accept whatever future experiences you are visualizing as possible. Therefore, this gives you more momentum towards achieving them. 

The science behind visualization: How to harness the power of visualization in your life

First, I want to state clearly that I don't believe in the law of attraction concepts, especially because the Idea that we attract certain things by just thinking we want it has no scientific basis.

However, When you understand how parts of your brain work together to influence outcomes.

You can begin to understand how visualization can work for you.

Let me elaborate...

The rational and emotional mind theory

What most people are familiar with is the Emotional Mind. The emotional Mind responds to information delivered via the five senses, i.e. sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.

Visualizing success teaches you to access the other part of your brain, which is the "Rational Mind." The Rational Mind is the part of your brain that makes decisions and solves problems using Logic and Critical Thinking.

When you learn to use both parts of your brain together, your decision-making process becomes exponentially faster and more accurate. That means that your mind and body will work in perfect unison, And this gives you a powerful forward momentum towards achieving what you have been visualizing in your mind.

But what if I've tried but still can't visualize anything?

If this is your experience, then there is a high chance you've been blocked by anxiety.

You see, your prefrontal cortex is responsible for evaluating a situation and making a rational decision about how to best respond to that situation. Sadly, anxiety can interfere with this system, and a compelling way to reduce anxiety problems is by adequately dealing with unmet expectations in life.

Here is how to manage unmet expectations better.

Unmet expectations and their impact on positive mindset

Unmet expectations can cause a negative mindset because we interpret our lives according to our own internal set of standards and beliefs.

Unmet expectations can cause a cascade of physiological responses that deplete your resources and leave you feeling tired and worn out. 

On the other hand, when your expectations are met, your physiology is quickly regulated to return to balance, and you feel happier, more alert, and have increased energy levels.

What steps can you take to ensure that you have more fulfilled expectations than unmet expectations in life?

Unfulfilled expectations result from a failure to achieve what we want.  But people fall into a common trap when addressing their unmet needs.

You see, when we meet our expectations, this can sometimes trigger a sense of "under-achievement". Which then leads us to set even higher (unfulfilled) expectations for the future. It's a vicious circle that can go on and on.

The antidote for this condition is simple but very counter-intuitive. 

The antidote is to raise your expectations to the highest point possible whilst trying your best. This effort will cause you to be constantly "surprised" (delighted and overjoyed) at how much "more" you can get out of life. It's a great feeling. 

If you doubt this, I suggest you go through a period when you deliberately set high (unfulfilled) expectations for yourself in all areas of your life. You'll soon find that you won't be able to stop "surprising" yourself with how much "more" you can accomplish.

4 Practical steps for fulfilling your expectations

The first step is to become aware of what is already operating in your life as "fulfilled expectancy".

The second step is to become aware of what is currently missing from your life as "unmet expectation".

The third step is to develop a list of high expectations around those unmet expectations.

And the fourth step is to take action on those lists.

Whilst still on the topic of expectations, there is another major obstacle that has the power to set you on the wrong path on your journey towards fulfilling your expectations. 

What's the obstacle?

It is false expectations.

The danger of false expectations: The #1 reason people are unhappy with their lives

False expectations come in two shades...

false expectations are created when we place unhealthy expectations on ourselves. Unhealthy expectations occur when we live most of our lives based on what others expect of us.

We allow ourselves to be unduly influenced by the unrealistic expectations of others. This creates a sense of "under-achievement". Which then leads to setting even higher (unhealthy) expectations for the future. It's a vicious circle that can go on and on for life.

 The second shade of false expectation is created when we have a negative expectation that could have been otherwise positive.

What is ironic is that when you expect something great, even if this expectation is not met, you will still experience a sense of accomplishment because your mind will have created a "great" outcome. This mindset leads to less stress, less anxiety and a more positive outlook on life, which leaves you with more energy to push towards more healthy life outcomes.

In contrast, when one has false or unrealistic expectations, he will be disappointed, and the mind will create an "unfavourable" outcome. This unfavourable outcome will cause unnecessary stress, anxiety, and a negative outlook on life.

How to stop worrying about what everybody else is doing and start doing what you believe will make a difference!

Are you worried about what your friends and family might say or do? Worried about what other people think of you? Or constantly bogged down by what could go wrong for you and your plans?

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then there is a high chance you often feel stuck and unable to move forward in many things in your life.

You see, worrying about what everybody else is doing will hold you back more in life than the actual act of doing something bad.

Worrying keeps you stuck in a vicious cycle of trying to prove to others (and yourself) that what you are doing is not wrong. Which then prevents you from getting the right training or help you need to grow and make a difference.

Below are 8 essential steps to help you break free from this negative vicious cycle...

But before I list these steps, I must reveal one major mindset trap that will hinder you from breaking free from performance worry regardless of what you do.

An internal motivational trick that will dramatically boost your confidence and performance

To break free of performance anxiety, you've got to pay attention to the true nature of motivation and get your satisfaction from within yourself. When you are genuinely motivated to make a difference, the external rewards will come easily and naturally.

You see, it is impossible to make a difference from a place of despair, hopelessness, and misery.

On the other hand, it is possible to make a difference from a place of joy, enthusiasm, and optimism. Suppose you are constantly preoccupied with not measuring up and not doing well.

This preoccupation will negatively impact your energy levels and create a negative experience for everyone you interact with.

Look at it this way...

If you believe you can save 10 lives per day by fasting for a month. And your attitude exudes joy, enthusiasm, and optimism.

That joy, enthusiasm and optimism will radiate out to everyone you come in contact with. It will positively affect their attitude towards life and potentially cause them to become more positive, hopeful and enthusiastic.

As a result, they too might start saving lives, treating each other with more respect, etc.

On the other hand, if you believe you can save 10 lives per day by fasting for a month but you are in a state of despair, hopelessness and misery, then it will be harder to share your vision with anyone around you.

And since your negative energy is contagious, the only difference you will make is to place people in a state of despair, hopelessness, and misery as well.

Now let's dig into the 8 steps...

8 Essential steps to break free from performance anxiety 

1. Accept that you will never be able to please everyone all the time. It is not worth the effort to try. Instead, you learn to be true to yourself and develop a healthy sense of self-respect.

2. Talk less about how much you want to change. Instead, focus more on one or more specific changes you want to make. Pick one that is doable for you right now. (Later, you can always expand your horizons.)

3. Next, determine how you will implement this change in your life. 

4. Then prepare for the worst, expect the best: Mentally and emotionally, prepare yourself for the most challenging situation possible so you can function at your very best. And whilst doing this, expect great things from yourself, have faith and courage that you will succeed.

5. Visualize yourself performing well: Beat the fears that keep you from performing at an acceptable level. Imagine yourself at the peak of your success and ability as you move forward and experience all the good things life has to offer.

6. Face the situation with courage and take a chance : Go for it! Don't wait for "perfect" conditions. Start now! Move forward!  If you don't jump now, you may never get another chance!

7. Don't think about it anymore; just do it!

8. Watch out for any hindering negative self-talk that can hold you back. If you find yourself struggling with negative self-talk as you try to reduce performance anxiety, then please read on...


Develop faith in yourself: How to stop doubting yourself and start believing in yourself!

Do you struggle to have faith in yourself and, as such, find that you are always trying to convince others that you are worthwhile even though deep down inside you know that you aren't.

Many make the mistake of always looking outside themselves to confirm their self-worth. Sadly, this drops them in a vicious circle of trying to gain the affirmation, which leads to an attempt to prove themselves, which leads to losing faith in themselves.

To avoid making this mistake, you got to foster belief in yourself. Why? Because your self-esteem cannot improve until the belief in yourself is firm and unshakable.

How can you achieve this practically?

To stop doubting yourself, learn to recognize when doubt is creeping in.  As soon as you notice the doubt increasing, practice recalling past successes. Focus on those aspects of yourself that are worthy of belief. 

These aspects will strengthen and solidify your innermost beliefs about yourself. 

Clearing out your mental cobwebs ( Overcome negative self-talk)

Negative self-talk is like a tiny, covert little monster that is always lurking in the back of your mind.

The more you feed it with negative thoughts, the more powerful it will get. In time, this "little monster" will grow up to be a big bad wolf who starts to control your destiny.

Eventually, if you don't slay this beast, it will transform into something much worse - a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This tiny covert negative monster is one of the main reasons people fail to achieve their goals and dreams. It is also why people become sick, depressed, overweight, and sometimes even commit suicide.

Positive thinking exercises: Here are some exercises that can help stop negative self-talk

Concentration exercises – focusing on one particular thing for an extended period. They are also known as "concentration drills" or "mind power" exercises. These exercises are beneficial for developing self-esteem because they force you to rely on your resources instead of adverse external factors.

Re-education exercises–  It includes the development of new skills and the conscious retraining of your thinking to change old habits of negative thought. It can also help to change your beliefs about yourself and the world, allowing you to start living the life you deserve.

Relaxation Techniques: Try deep breathing or progressive relaxation. Or you can try counting backwards from 100 by ones.

Distraction Techniques: If all else fails, try watching TV, reading a book, taking a walk, exercising, doing chores around the house, etc.

Do something constructive with your hands: Gardening, woodworking, auto mechanics, playing an instrument, sculpting, painting, photography, or any other hobby that uses your hands will keep your brain active and create positive patterns.

Practising positive self-talk: Whenever you notice negative thoughts trying to creep into your head, replace them with positive, uplifting comments such as "I can do it" or "Yes, I can!" or "This time, it'll be different!"

Writing out one positive thought followed immediately by another: So, for example: "I am a good father. My kids love me. They would tell you…" etc., etc. Writing out a string of positive thoughts helps your brain focus on the task at hand and stops the mind from going off in negative directions.

An important point to note is that you have to choose positive self-talk that means something for you to make this work.

Here are more positive self-talk examples you can choose from.

"I'm good enough, smart enough, strong enough, handsome enough, well-built enough... to have any woman I want."

"Despite my age, I'm still the best looking guy in the room."

"I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can still jump up and down on a bed and shake the mattress till the springs cry."

"I don't care if the other guys are younger, stronger, better-looking... I know within myself, I can still run circles around them all."

"I was born with a gift for teaching... and that gift has been passed on to many students."

Keeping a gratitude log

Keeping a gratitude log is a great way to help you stay positive and focused on the blessings in your life. Start keeping a daily log of at least three things you are grateful for. Over time, your gratitude will increase as you notice more and more blessings.

Morning gratitude practice: Every day after you wake up write down three things you are grateful for on a piece of paper and put it in a jar. After a week, you should have a big jar of gratitude papers. Then every month, go through them and pull out the ones you want to keep and put them in a special jar. 

Practising thought-stopping (Step by step): Thought stopping is a valuable tool in overcoming negative thinking.

At first, you may need to practice stopping negative thoughts deliberately. But after a while, you won't have to think twice about it.

As you continue to use thought-stopping, you will find it easier to stop all negative thoughts automatically before they take root in your mind.  You should practise thought-stopping whenever you notice yourself becoming overly negative. 

Here are 7 examples of things you can practice to help with thought stopping.

1. Count backwards from 100 by 3's. (Forwards if you are left-handed.)

2. Repeat a song, poem or piece of music over and over in your head. (I do this when I exercise.)

3. Visualize yourself as a giant mountain. As you climb up the mountain, you will experience less and less negativity. (This works well for me.)

4. Imagine a big red button hanging on a string just above your head. When you are feeling down, you can press this button, and an angel (someone very positive) will appear and give you a huge boost.

5. Give yourself a little hug. (I do this when I need to relax and refocus.)

6. Smile! It does not do much for your facial muscles, but it will make a difference to your overall mood.

7. Do something nice for someone else.

How to instantly raise your spirits and create an atmosphere of positivity in your work and personal life...

Every day we are confronted with countless opportunities to choose how to respond. These tiny choices add up to a lifetime of happiness or misery. And you can choose to make them wisely.

No matter the circumstances, it is never helpful to dwell on and become overwhelmed by the negative.

It is equally unhelpful to allow yourself to become overly delighted by the positive. You must learn how to find the middle ground... The Zone!… That exact right spot where you can best manage all the variables in your life.

If you only ever respond with fear and negativity, you will attract more of the same. If you respond with confidence and optimism, you will attract more opportunities that support your sense of well-being.

The choices you make today are seeds that will grow into your tomorrow. Make each day an opportunity to create a better you.

Remember that success is a state of mind. If you don't believe it, you won't live it. But if you do believe it and act on that belief, it will begin to take shape in your life. It will become a reality.

 

 

 

 

Written by Adewale Ademuyiwa
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