I’m sure we’ve all met someone and just wondered how they stay positive all the time. They always seem to have a smile on their face and just radiate enthusiasm for everything they do. Maybe you’re thinking, “how do they stay happy all the time?”. Or, “how can I be positive like that in my life?”.
The truth is, anyone can be a more positive person, including you. A great place to start would be looking around your circle. Phil 2:2 is a good reminder for us to be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
It is important to surround yourself with other positive people. To do so, you’ll have to understand what specific habits these people have that help them maintain their happy attitude.
Here are eight ways you can recognise positive people around you:
1. Positive people are grateful
Positive people are able to recognise that the key to happiness is all around us. They appreciate almost everything, even the little things that help them keep going. Even when things aren’t going their way, they’re able to still count their blessings. They understand that what ultimately matters isn’t what happens to you, but how you react to it.
To be a positive person, you’ll have to practise gratitude. If you’re having a hard time starting, consider getting a gratitude journal and start writing down what you’re grateful for each day. You’ll be surprised at how more appreciative you'll be for life.
2. Positive people are solution-oriented
When positive people find themselves with a problem, they rarely dwell on it. Positive people quickly learn from their mistakes and would rather focus on fixing them and looking for solutions. The mindset one has when facing a problem can make all the difference. Positive people understand this and that’s why they remain optimistic even in the face of adversity.
They seek advice, read up and learn what they need to so that they can be able to find a solution.
How do you handle challenging situations in your life? Do you dwell on them or look for ways to get out of them? To be positive, you’ll have to develop an optimistic outlook when faced with adversity.
3. Positive people are kind to others
Positive people tend to be kind to others, which makes them happier, making them even more positive. These people value the happiness of others, even those that may be strangers to them. They’ll help others without wondering what’s in it for them. They simply understand that it’s the right thing to treat others how they'd like to be treated.
Kindness and positivity go hand in hand. Therefore, you will find that by helping others, you experience positivity simply by not focusing on yourself for that moment.
4. Positive people respect themselves
Positive people not only respect those around them, but they also respect themselves. They show pride in who they are and what they do. They don’t judge themselves too harshly or speak negatively about themselves. Unlike most people who use their inner voice to be overly critical of themselves, positive people use it for affirmation. They know that self-talk is powerful and how you regard yourself also determines how others perceive you.
Self-acceptance is the key to leading a positive life. Positive people accept who they are, flaws and all. They know there’s joy in focusing on their strengths rather than dwelling on what they lack.
5. Positive people celebrate others and their achievements
Positive people don’t just celebrate their own wins, but they also celebrate the wins of others. They like to share in the joyous and exciting moments of the people closest to them or even those they may not know so well. Social comparison is plaguing many in today’s age. People see other’s success and feel envious, leading them to animosity. But positive people can find happiness even when it’s not from their own accomplishments.
To bring more positivity back into your life, learn to celebrate the achievements of the people you value in your life. Even reward them with a gift, something simple but thoughtful.
6. Positive people know how to let go
As I mentioned, positive people tend to not dwell on the negative. This is especially true when it comes to past events or situations they can no longer control. Instead of hanging on to negative events, positive people know how to let go. They don’t hold on to beliefs, ideas and people that are no longer healthy for them. They can appreciate the joy of living in the present and looking forward to the future.
Are you having a hard time letting go? To be more positive, you’ll have set yourself free from the burdens of the past. Holding on to grudges or to things you can’t control or change is just a waste of time and energy.
7. Positive people take control of their negative thoughts
People always seem to think that being positive is just blind optimism or to be positive you have to ignore negative. But that’s far from the case. Positive people also have negative thoughts, they can recognise the bad side of things. However, they don’t let negativity control how they run their lives. They’re able to take charge of their negative thoughts, fight them, wrestle with them and come out on top. They know that they’re the ones in control of their emotions and actions and thus act accordingly.
It’s almost impossible to escape negativity. But you can choose to focus your energy on the positive things in your life.
8. Positive people take responsibility for their own actions
Positive people always take responsibility for what they do and don’t place blame on others for their actions. They always own their mistakes and use them as teaching moments to propel them into being better people. They’re always actively trying to make changes in their lives and don’t wait on other people or circumstances to progress.
Do you take responsibility for your actions? Or does it always seem to be someone else’s fault? If you want to be a more positive person, you’ll have to own your mistakes and accept that anything that happens to you is a direct result of your own decisions.
Positivity really just comes down to how you think about yourself, others and the adversities you face in life. While it may not always come naturally to all of us, positivity is something that can be learned and practised. Be around people who know how to focus on the good rather than the bad.
“Good things happen in your life when you surround yourself with positive people.”- Roy T. Bennett
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Your Personal Development and Leadership Coach,
Samantha.