Change Your Life, Change your Outlook

It is becoming clear that our outlook on life has a big impact on the way we live life, the way we approach challenges and even on the length of our life. Many of us, though we may not always recognise it, have developed a negative attitude on life; we expect things to go wrong, we anticipate failure, we predict disaster and we always look on the dark side of things. Our humor can get cynical or self-deprecating, we can feel gloomy or depressed and often we will not attempt new things because we fear or expect to fail.

By becoming more positive and adopting a positive attitude to life, we are more willing and more able to improve things. Instead of expecting to fail or spotting mistakes, we can look at the potentials and see opportunities for success. By being positive, we can enjoy things more and find pleasures in even small things of life. This is not a ‘Polly anna’ approach to life in which we see good things and refuse to recognise other things going on around us. A positive outlook helps give you strength, motivation and opportunities to improve yourself and your life, while also enjoying it!

10 Steps To A More Positive Life:

What can you do to live a happier life and make people experience you as a person they want to be around?
1.Find something you believe in
-Be it your inner child, your higher me or God, you need someone you can rely on to be there for you in times of need or something to be happy about every day. Make time twice a day or how ever often you need to get in touch with your beliefs to soothe your soul.
2.Smile
- a smile is contagious. As is a negative demeanor. If everything around you is crumbling, then look inside yourself. Is your attitude causing you to experience things negatively? For things to change you have to change.
3.Be of value
- to your family, your friends and people that you don't know. Do something for someone - it may not take away from you, but it will give them a lot of joy. Instead of giving money to a charity and feeling great that you have done your bit - rather give time. Show someone you care about them in deed.
4.Don't hold grudges
- learn to forgive. An unforgiving soul is a dead soul. When someone makes you angry they own your emotions and have the power to make you unhappy. Nobody should have that power. Things done to you may seem huge in your eyes - the person responsible may not even know that you were offended and therefore they don't dwell on it like you do.
5.Rid yourself of toxic relationships
- any relationships that cause you hurt, anger, resentment, guilt or anxiety are toxic and you should remove them out of your life. Spend time with people that mean a lot to you. Open up your heart and learn to live a little!
6. Exercise
- a healthy body is home to a healthy heart. Get your muscles moving, your heart pumping and blood flowing. You'll feel more relaxed, energized and your body will look toned and healthy.
7. Work on your relationship with your significant other
- sure you're a very special person, but so are they. Show them how much they mean to you and remember that magic relationships do exist and you too can have one.
8. Be kind
- stop criticizing people. Remember that you see in others what you can't accept about yourself. Rather find the good in everyone. If you don't share the same core beliefs, just don't discuss them. Focus on something you do have in common. Don't steamroller people to make things go your way. They are people in their own right and are entitled to their opinions.
9. Pamper yourself
- as often as you need it. Have some me time when you can do something that makes you happy without any interruptions. At the same time, think about things that make you happy and affirm your dreams and goals. Focus on things that you love about your life and things you want to achieve.
10. Stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future that is in your hands.
- Don't punish the people currently in your life for the mistakes of other people. No two people are the same and nobody should carry the blame for another's mistakes.
A positive attitude will stand you in good stead throughout your life. Good experiences will become better and with time, negative experiences will diminish and eventually disappear.

By Lizette Balsdon