what do you do to gain a more positive outlook?

Question

its just that nothing in my life ever went/goes right. even if i do something good, it turns to crap. i think that if i have a more positive outlook, things would stop turning for the worse. so i wanna see what you guys do.

Answer 1

The trick is to first try to figure out what went wrong. Was it unrealistic expectations? relying on people you should not count on? lack of a realistic plan? lack of plan follow through?
Next figure out what went right, and try to find at least 3 good things about the experience. The negatives always fall in our lap, but sometimes you have to really look for that silver lining. (Even if the only good thing was that you are now a little wiser than when the day began.) Also, learn to laugh at yourself and be gentle with yourself. Embrace what goes well and congratulate yourself, and learn from mistakes and painful lessons, and use that as an opportunity not to pout or make excuses... but embrace it as an opportunity to grow as a person.
Once you learn what went wrong and right, then you need to figure out what you had control over in the situation, and what you had no control over. This is hard because it takes honest evaluation of yourself as well as others. This is not assigning blame, but owning what bit was yours and learning about what is acceptable expectations from other people. The important part of this is to LEARN from the process, and use that knowledge to better yourself and your decisions with each attempt.
Remember each day is a gift and you need to spend it wisely. End each day with thinking of 3 things that went well and 3 lessons you learned. Then think of your blessings (even if it is, "I had supper today and I will have a home tomorrow", because for some people, that is not their reality)
and be truly thankful for them. I think once you get in the habit of looking for the good, your outlook will improve.

Answer 2

Hi. Well, life is hard itself, so if you keep thinking that nothing ever goes right, and expect nothing to go right....it won't go right. Get it? It's hard to think on a positive outlook when everything around you is pretty bad. However, you must want things to change, therefore, start thinking positive. Think of yourself as a magnet, and only attract good things. It may be hard at first, but it will begin working itself out. You'll see. Good luck!

Answer 3

I see where you are coming from because I have been there. It seems that everyone else (who doesnt deserve it ) gets promoted or good things fall in their lap and passes you right by. When good things happen to you there's always a catch or a down side. I have posted a similar question, and received good advise. I will tell you what has helped me, medication! plus looking for anything positive that you can find in each situation no matter how small it may be and concentrate on that. There is always someone who is worse off than you and there will always be someone who you think is better off (they may not be and are just trying to make seem like they are). Try to surround your self with positive people. Negative debbie downers dont help your situation they will just drag U down with them. Good Luck.

Answer 4

It's all a matter of perspective. If you choose to see the bad in everything, you will. If you choose to see the good, you will.

Also, seeing the good or bad in things is sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy--if you choose the see the bad, your actions are managed by that perspective and the outcome of your efforts is impacted--perhaps negatively. However, if your behavior is managed by a positive outlook, then perhaps you will start to enjoy more positive outcomes.

At the end of the day, it all start with you, though.

Answer 5

I have always thought of myself as an unlucky kind of guy who would win the big one in Vegas the get hit by a bus crossing the street to the bank! Not many people if they are really honest think themselves as lucky or the kind that everything goes right in there lives. You just have to constantly remind yourself of the good times, and put up with the s*** life deals out until the next good time comes along. It will.

Answer 6

Take a few minutes and think about your entire life. When you got an A on a paper/test. When a cute crush looked at you. When you had the right answer. Or when you got out of a jam.

Focus on your best moments even if their in the distant past. Your not a screw-up. you have succeeded in the past and will succed in the future.

Then listen to some cool happy peppy music.

Answer 7

Good question.

Right now I feel like I've hit almost the bare bottom. I'm homeless because our house was foreclosed on. What makes it worse was the day that I walked out of my house I had to put Peanut (my little dog)to sleep. Before that; I tore ligaments in my knee and have to walk with crutches and wear a splint.

I just know that it has to get better some time. I've promised my granddaughter that I would bake her pork chops before my birthday and that is in May. I do hope I have a place to live in long before then but keeping that promise to her makes me feel good.

Answer 8

Keep trying to look at things in a good light no matter how things have turned out in the past. Remember the many things that you have to be thankful for, and there are many people in this world who are worse off than you.
And play some kind of gratefulness game at Thanksgiving...

Answer 9

I only think positive thoughts. Every time I catch a negative thought coming into my mind I stop it and replace it with something good. I read positive books, listen to music, write, and I don't surround myself with anything negative. It has really helped me gain a positive outlook. Whatever you think about you attract to yourself so if you dwell on things never going right then they never will. But if you think about things going good then you will attract good things to you.

Answer 10

I can promise you that if you think positive, positive things will happen. Just forbid yourself to see the negative side of things. Always look at the glass as half full, not half empty.

You'll be surprised how good it works and how quickly.
Just remember to KEEP thinking positive, even after things start going good again.