Hey harmony hustlers, ready to transform your mindset?
Positively transforming your mindset may feel like a stretch especially when negative thoughts creep in and make everything seem harder.
If you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, or thinking that you are not good enough, this habit will keep you from being your best self and that’s not what we want.
In this post, we’ll dive into practical tips to help you transform your mindset. You’ll cultivate positive habits in no time.
Why transform your mindset?
Do you often feel stressed and anxious?
Do you find it tough to stay motivated and focused?
Do negative thoughts and self-doubt frequently pop into your mind?
Are you feeling stuck, like you can’t move forward with your goals?
Do your relationships feel strained because of a negative outlook?
If so, you’re not alone. These days, it feels like negativity has become the default setting for many of us. We’re caught in a loop of stress and gloom, and breaking free from it can seem like an uphill battle.
If negativity gives us nothing but doom and gloom then why do we cling to this mindset?
It could be because negativity feels safe. Safe? I hear you say. Yes, safe. Changing your mindset means stepping away from what you know and venturing into the unknown, which can seem scary. But here’s the thing about sticking to the same mindset; you will undoubtedly be held back from achieving your true potential.
Therefore, no matter how uncertain change may feel, embrace its possibilities. Transform your mindset by breaking free from the chains of negativity. Open yourself up to a world of positivity and opportunity.
A positive mindset is not out of reach. If you want to attract everything you want in life then you have to believe that you can get it.
How to transform your mindset
Positive thinking has the remarkable ability to completely transform your mindset. However it’s important to recognise that the power to change your mindset lies solely within you.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to kick-start this process, and we’ll explore the following 5 key tips:
- Practice gratitude daily
- Challenge Negative thoughts
- Surround yourself with positivity
- Embrace ‘What if’ thinking
- Create a vision board of positivity
By taking action on these tips, in particular practising gratitude, challenging negative thoughts, and embracing optimism, you can reduce stress, enhance resilience, and increase happiness and productivity.
1. Practise Gratitude Daily
Cultivating a positive mindset is all about being intentional and consistent in your efforts. A great place to start is by being grateful for everything you have.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, especially with social media showcasing everyone’s key highlights. You might look at someone online and think they have it all—more money, a nicer house, a bigger friend group—and feel inferior as a result.
But here’s the truth: the meaning you attach to what others have is what makes you feel less than. Read that again!
What someone else possesses has no power over you. They have what they have because it’s meant for them, not for you.
Consider this: those impressive possessions might just be a facade—they could be in massive debt to afford that house, or their friendships might not be as deep as they seem.
Even if they’re genuinely happy, what they have, might not be what you need to feel fulfilled.
Start believing that there’s enough to go around for everyone.
If someone else has an opportunity or a material item and you don’t, it doesn’t mean they’ve taken something away from you. They have their own blessings, and you have yours. Focus on your unique journey and appreciate the good in your life, and you’ll start to see how abundant it really is.
Remember “Comparison is the thief of joy” – President Theodore Roosevelt
*Pro Tip* Start each day by jotting down three things you’re grateful for—it’s a great way to shift your focus to the good stuff in your life. Plus research shows that regular gratitude practice can increase happiness and improve overall mental health. It’ll truly transform your mindset!
2. Challenge Negative Thoughts
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes ‘thinking positive’ feels like an uphill battle. Especially when life hits you with one challenge after the other.
However the good news is that you can train yourself to look for the positives.
The next time something difficult comes your way, I want you to focus on the positives. The truth is, no matter how grim or difficult a situation is, you can always find something to be grateful for or something positive to focus on.
A podcast I was recently listening to demonstrates this point really well. The “That Girl” Guide Podcast by Paige Morris & Ellie Johnson ran an episode where the host Paige shared an incredible story about her husband being suddenly diagnosed with cancer.
Despite the heartbreaking news, she managed to find positives during that tough time.
Right after they got the diagnosis, they called his parents, who were able to catch a flight and be with them within an hour. Paige felt so grateful—not just that he had supportive parents, but that they could and would drop everything to be there. She also found a silver lining in the type of cancer he had; it was one of the more treatable kinds.
Even in such a dark moment, Paige’s ability to see the good really stood out.
Like Paige, you too can also choose to focus your mind on the positives.
When negative thinking takes over, it brings stress and anxiety, which drains your motivation and focus.
Negatively can also impact your physical health.
It can cause fatigue, sleep issues, and a weakened immune system. When you start understanding the ‘negative effects of negative thinking’, you can become more aware of negative thoughts and take action to avoid them.
The expert take
Dr. Martin Seligman is renowned for his theory of learned helplessness, which explains how people can feel hopeless when they believe they lack control over their circumstances, which in turn can lead to depression.
He suggests that cultivating optimism can significantly impact a person’s mental health and ability to thrive in life. He calls this process “learned optimism” which encourages people to challenge negative thoughts and focus on their strengths to boost well-being.
He advocates for practices such as gratitude, cognitive reframing, and focusing on strengths to enhance positivity and resilience.
According to Seligman, individuals with a positive mindset are better equipped to cope with challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a sense of hope and purpose.
*Pro tip* Whenever negative thoughts pop up, challenge them and replace them with something more positive or realistic. Question their validity and replace them with more positive or realistic thoughts.
This practice, known as cognitive reframing (advocated by Dr Selgman), helps you break the habit of negative thinking and encourages a more balanced perspective.
By actively challenging and changing your thought patterns, you can reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Surround Yourself with Positivity
We’ve all heard this advice at some point in our lives. Surround yourself with positive things and positive people.
Whilst we may have heard this advice, how do we put this into practice? How do we stay away from negative things and negative people?
Negative ‘things’ may seem easier to stay away from than negative people. You may find it easier to stay away from negative content via your television, radio, podcasts, social media and so on. But how do you surround yourself with positive ‘people’, especially if your inner circle includes negative people?
Imagine you have a family member who is always negative. You might think, “I can’t stay away from this person, they’re my family.” At the same time you may acknolwedge that you always leave conversations with this person feeling drained and exhausted. How do you then change this?
Well firstly, feeling drained and exhausted by a person, is a sure sign that they are exuding negative energy. It does not necessarily mean they are a negative person. If on the other hand, every exchange ends this way, then the chances are, yes, they may in fact have a negative approach to life.
So how do you deal with negative people who you cannot remove from your life. It’s simple- you limit the contact. You enforce boundaries. You ensure that you are not allowing yourself to be consumed by the other person’s energy.
The people and environment around you significantly impact your mindset.
Positive influences can inspire and motivate you. They make it easier to maintain a positive outlook and encourage you to adopt positive habits.
*Pro-tip* Pay attention to the content or people that make you feel drained. Once you notice the things that suck your energy, limit them in your life.
Focus on surrounding yourself with people who uplift you, motivate you and make you feel energised. Consume content that does the same.
4. Embrace “What If” Thinking
If you’ve not heard of ‘what if’ thinking before, let me explain. “What if” thinking is all about rewiring the negative scenarios that play out in your mind.
For example, say you’re about to start a new business venture and all you can think of is “What if I fail?”. This ‘what if’ question is not going to motivate you to succeed.
If instead you shifted the narrative to “What if this turns out great?”, this change in perspective will help you to focus on opportunities rather than obstacles. If you’re optimistic with your ‘what if’ questions, you’re more likely to achieve successful results.
It’s a simple mental shift which can ease apprehension and boost your confidence. Focusing on the best case scenarios is the ideal place for your mind to be in.
*Pro tip* The next time you have a self-limiting thought, rephrase the thought into a positive ‘what if’ question. This can be a powerful tool for positive visualisation. When you visualise great things, you’re more motivated to achieve them.
5. Create a Vision Board of Positivity
Hear me out on this one. Prior to 2024, I used to write down my yearly, quarterly and monthly goals. I’d open up my new planner and list my goals and let them sit there, without looking back at them until the following year.
In the subsequent new year I would look back to see if I’d achieved any of the goals I had set out for myself. The good news was that I did achieve some of the goals, the bad news is, I’d forgotten most of the goals I’d set out to achieve. This was obviously because I didn’t care to keep a track of my goals throughout the year.
This year, at the start of 2024, I created a vision board. I set myself some goals for the year, I then searched up some photographs from pinterest which visualised these goals for me, and I stuck them down on a board which I have stuck to my bedroom wall in plain sight.
Now, every day, in the morning, during the day and at night, I catch a glimpse of this vision board. It reminds me of all the things I want to achieve and it provides me with motivation to work on the things I need to, in order to achieve these goals. A few months into the year and I’ve already achieved some of my big and small goals from this vision board.
I cannot stress the impact that a vision board can have on your mind. It serves as a visual representation of your goals and aspirations which in turn stimulates your imagination and reinforces positive beliefs.
Most importantly it serves as a daily reminder of your aspirations, motivating you to take actionable steps towards achieving them.
*Pro tip* To bring your goals to life, start by listing them out and then craft your very own vision board. If you prefer not to display it on your walls, consider keeping it somewhere you’ll see it daily, like setting it as the screensaver on your phone or laptop.
By regularly viewing your vision board, you can align your thoughts and actions with your desired outcomes, fueling motivation and encouraging a sense of empowerment.
You’re all set to transform your mindset
Whilst living a balanced and fulfilling life can seem like a daunting task, especially when negative thoughts keep getting in the way. The good news is that YOU have the power to transform your mindset and change your life for the better.
By practising gratitude daily, challenging those negative thoughts, surrounding yourself with positivity, embracing “what if” thinking, and creating a vision board of positivity, you can start to see real changes.
With practice, you’ll build a positive mindset that helps you feel less stressed and more in control of your life.
These small, intentional shifts will add up over time, leading to a profound transformation in how you perceive and experience the world.
Remember, the idea of positive thinking is not that you are ‘happy’ all the time. Instead it’s about accepting the difficulties you face and challenging the negative thoughts that come with the circumstances. It’s not possible for us to be happy all the time, however acceptance is a sure way of building strength in the face of challenges.
So, take the first step today. Embrace these tips and watch as your mindset—and your life—begin to transform.
You’ve got this!