In elementary school, The Power of Positive Students program was drilled into our little heads. At the time, I have to admit, it didn't seem to make much of an impact on me. I was a pretty happy, positive kid as it was. But things get harder don't they? I find myself - in the office and in my personal life - feeling defeated. At lower points, I have been called a fatalist.

If only I remembered the POPS way at times like these. I know being optimistic is good for me. But how can a person maintain positivity on a daily basis?

Ideas to Help you Be Optimistic Daily

1. Know your triggers. What is it that sends you into a negative tail-spin? Make a list, know those things forwards and backwards, and keep your eyes peeled for them in your daily life. If you are aware of them, if you can see them coming, you will be more prepared to counteract their effects.
2. Go straight to the sunshine. Learn to find the good in the worst situation immediately. For example, I have a lot of "complainers" at my workplace. (I used to be one of them.) And a lot of the time it feels like they all come to me to do their complaining. It is hard to not be infected. Going straight for the silver lining or the solution - instead of focusing on how horrible a situation is or how big the problem might be - has really helped me turn things around before they get to me.
   
3. Deal with stress first. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to be horrible. Knowing your triggers will help with this, but you also have to be able to hit the brakes before you reach your breaking point. Take a few minutes to acknowledge your stress - "Ack! I am stressed out right now!" And then do whatever it is that works for you to relieve it. Breath, stretch, walk, get a massage - you can even a "personal day." Yes you can! Who said you didn't deserve it.
4. Survive. I read a really powerful article about survival and stress not too long ago. Check it out. Then learn how to become a survivor. You can save yourself - that's all I'm going to say.
5. Be responsible. Drink water, eat well, sleep a lot, think positively - your body and your mind is yours, and you are responsible for the state of them. Taking charge of your life will make being optimistic a lot more manageable. When we look outwardly, when we blame the world for our hardships, things can seem too big and terrifying. Optimism will be harder and harder to hold onto. Yes, we cannot control everything, but we can control a lot.
   

Labels: be responsible for your body, daily optimism, optimism, POPS, positivity, reduce stress, survival