Exploring How to Maintain a Positive Mindset
9th March 2018
A positive mindset
At the end of last year, I decided that my focus for 2018 would be to create and maintain a positive mindset. I felt this would improve my resilience to my work challenges and better equip me to let go of the things that are no longer serving or supporting me.
Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to be positive and upbeat. I found it brought energy to my day, and as a manager, it helped me to motivate and inspire my team. I valued a positive, cheerful and supportive working environment. It enabled us to get over any hurdles and made the day more joyful and productive.
‘Look for the pluses in life. Being negative completely erodes everything. If something bad happens, I always say cancel and continue and get back on track. There’s no good being negative, I don’t believe in negativity.’ – Dame Judi Dench
A glass half-full
Since working freelance, I’ve tried to nurture a positive mindset because I find it supports my creativity and productivity. As a business owner, I don’t want external factors to affect my efficiency or negatively impact my day. I know I will always have challenging days, but I don’t want them to hold me back. So, today I’m sharing the things I’m doing to maintain a positive mindset.
1. Practice gratitude
I think one of the best ways to maintain a positive mindset is to focus on the things I’m grateful for. To do this, I keep a gratitude journal where I jot down the things I valued throughout the day. It helps me to identify and make space for the things that bring me joy.
2. Positivity toolkit
In addition to this, I’ve created a range of resources to support me. These include uplifting playlists, guided meditations and inspiring podcasts, YouTube channels and TED talks. They make up my positivity toolkit which can soothe and support me on the more challenging days.
3. Positive reflection
I try my best to view all challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Often I need some time and space between me and the challenge before this can happen but, I’ve come to realise that, if I can’t change what happens I can change how I respond to it. This simple idea gives me back my power when things go wrong.
4. Letting go
At the end of last year, I was consuming a lot of online content. I felt it was hampering my natural thought process and creativity. To address this, I considered what I wanted my online experience to look and feel like and the voices I wanted to hear. After a little edit, I began to introduce some new voices and visuals into my online experience, seeking out those who lift and inspire me. It’s made a huge difference!
5. Saving positivity
I also like to save my positivity for a rainy day. To do this, I have saved all the things I’m proud of and put them in a file. I also include the great feedback I’ve received over the years. These kind words and reminders lift me when I stumble. By collecting all the good stuff, I can give myself a boost when I need it the most.
6. And finally
It’s impossible to be positive all the time. I, therefore, welcome and accept the days when none of the above helps and things don’t go to plan.
Further reading
The benefits of keeping a gratitude journal
How to create positive and inspiring affirmations
Six uplifting reminders to motivate and inspire
Thank you, as always, for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day. Until next time, I’ll see you over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
YOU give me so much good advice!!!! Thank you xxxxxx
You’re welcome, Kirsty! Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you have a fabulous Friday! :)
You’re absolutely right.. that one negative comment is easy to focus on but positivity always saves the day x
So true, there’s no point in wasting your energy on negativity! I hope you have a lovely weekend, Lucy.
I’ve always seen you as such a positive person thanks for sharing your tools for keeping this mindset ❤️
You’re welcome and thanks so much for your kind comment! I hope you have a lovely weekend.
I love the idea of saving your positivity for a rainy day. That recommendation will come in very useful, I think! x
Thanks, Amanda. I started doing this when I worked at the University of Oxford, it was good to save up the compliments to read on the stressful days! I hope you have a great weekend. :)
What a wonderful idea to save the positives for a rainy day, its raining here today and I’m struggling to find the positives!
You are as ever a superb inspiration to me Natasha…
Ashley x
Thank you, Ashley. Sending you an abundance of joy and positivity from Oxford! I hope you have a gorgeous weekend. :)
Beautiful!!
Thank you!
Well I’ve always known Judi Dench was awesome and that quote just proves it. Thanks for this little boost of positivity today – I need it on a rainy monday morning! xx
Thanks, Kat. I hope you have a beautifully positive week! :)
I completely agree with the implications of consuming online content. It can lead to an information overdose. Great tips as usual!
It sure can! Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you have a great weekend.
That’s a great way of looking at life, I really loved reading this article and I totally agree with you on having the good vibes only.
Thanks for stopping by!
An awesome way of thinking. I was just talked with my son who is a junior at the university and telling him how what we are feeling can impact our productivity and ability to get things done. Thank you for this! Sharing with him now.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. That’s so true, how we feel can make such a difference to our productivity.
Do positive and uplifting things. Reflect on things with a positive light. These speak to me personally. Right now I am having a hard time with my job and being a student, where I want to work more but my school schedule doesn’t allow. I would really like to find the positives in this but It’s turning out to be really tough to do. Hope I find a positive soon.
I’m sorry to hear you’re having a hard time with your job and being a student. I wish you all the very best with things moving forward, and I hope you get to where you want to be.