It’s natural for us to feel and think negative. The consequence lang if we stay that way is we also act and create situations negatively. So How to become a positive thinker? Here are the tips for all us to avoid being pessimistic or negative thinker:

To be positive thinker: hush your negative voices

Most of the time it’s not the external elements that stop our growth. It can because we’re consumed by our negative emotions such as doubt, fear, despair, envy, shame, jealousy, frustrations, guilt or sadness. If we allow any of these emotions, we will find it hard to be positive thinkers. With that,we are also delaying, if not softly killing, our progress. Furthermore, negative emotions trigger complacency, mediocrity, stress, anxiety, and some chronic diseases. 

A suggestion to keep negative emotions at bay is to practice mindfulness. In mindfulness you don’t suppress an emotion, but instead you are being aware of why you feel certain emotion at the given moment. For example, ask yourself why you feel bad about being an employee? Is it because of pitiful salary or endless competition with someone?

Stop comparing yourself to others

It’s also natural for us to compare ourselves with to others. Kaya nga ‘di ba kahit yung mga hindi nagkakaaway sa celebrities ay nagkakaisyu dahil sa pagku-compare. So  stop din sa paggaya sa mga intrigero y intrigera para hindi tayo lumikha ng sarili nating multo.  Ano ba ‘yang multo na ‘yan? Ang ibang tawag d’yan ay ay inggit, poot,  pagmamaliit, low self-esteem at tulirong nakatingin sa kawalan.

One of the things why we are also consumed by negative emotions is because we’re in competition trap, wherein we compare our self-worth with someone else’s? So instead of harboring ill feelings, why not use that competitiveness to hone your skills. That way, you will become a competent individual, which in return may augment salary and fast-track your progress.  

Don’t think you’re an expert

Okay we all work hard to improve ourselves to the point we already what we do, especially in career. But in my research and self-realization in doing business, having an expert’s mind ( a.k.a kayabangan ) produce negative mindset and actions. First of all, when you think you’re already an expert, you tend not to accept suggestions, ideas and especially criticism. Iniisip mo ay alam mo na ang ginagawa mo kaysa sa kanila. Thus you also become self-entitled and boxed in your knowledge. Then, you also begin to sa bad about people if you feel they’re inferior.

Choosing to be objective allows you to discover innovative ideas and to get you out of your comfort zone. If this is something you need to work on, you can try to adapt Shoshin or Beginner’s Mind of Zen Buddhism. Beginner’s mind means you don’t think of your accomplishments or disappointments in the past and your fears or hopes in your future. You’re just focused on what’s best to do right here and now at your teaching day.            

Read inspiring quotes/verses

Hindi lahat bookworm pero hindi rin naman kailangan magbasa ng buong novel, self-help or autobiography books para makasagap ka ng nakaka-inspire na quotes, lines, lyrics or verses.  Puwede kang makasagap ng mga entertaining, nakaka-smile at inspiring phrases sa ilang social media sites. Special  mention ko na rito ang Pinterest na pang-scrapbook at postcard pa ang presentation ng mga quotes.

Unsubscribe from unli rants and bad news

Oo pasok rito yung mga walang ginawa kundi mag-post ng reklamo sa kanilang Facebook at dino-dominate ang ating wall. Tama na siguro ang once, twice pero kung ‘di muna ma-define ang minsan sa kanyang unlimited rants na nonsense pa, the best thing is “hide.” ‘Wag mo naman i-unfriend kong close kayo at  baka may pinagdadaanan lang. ‘Wag ka lang din like ng like na parang ini-encourage mo s’yang i-baby pa ang kasawian n’ya.

Maliban sa weather report at traffic situation, ayoko ring simulan ang araw ko ng mga  murahan, karumaldumal at bangayan na balitaan.  Mas tinitingnan ko ang mga news sa internet at newspaper sa bandang hapon kung kailan nakapagtrabaho na ako ng nakangiti.

List your blessings

Do you know that being grateful is being positive thinker?

If you feel negative, try to remember the blessings you received and the miracles you experienced. List those things. Then list your goals/ dreams/ wish/ prayers in 2 weeks to a year. And list the things you are grateful for. Or you may try this…

Do activities you are passionate about

Sound trip? Oo yun nga. Kung ‘di na kaya ng kaka-cotton buds mo pa lamang na tenga ang nagger mong ___, makinig ka ng musika. Lagi kang makakahanap ng karamay, advise at pang-aliw sa musika.  Para sa akin music is magic.

 Gardening? Gusto ko sana sabihin na mag-travel tayo pero paano naman kung budget ang dahilan ng yung pagkalungkot, so ito na lang. Let’s do gardening  para may kausap tayong buto na didiligan para maging halaman at hihintayin na magbigay ng namumukadkad na flower o nagmumurang kamatis. happy nyan si Mother Nature.

Maging animal lover

Ang aso, pusa, hamster o  kalapati  dudumihan ka pero di ka “iiputan.” Di ka rereklamuhan kung puno ka ng ka-emuhan. Nand’yan lang sila na kahit  wala ka sa wisyo.  Malay mo sila ang makapagturo sa iyo ng unconditional love, contentment or true friendship.

Chat with positive people

Kailan mo ba huling binisita ang iyong best friend nung elementary, si lolo na palagi kang hinihintay o iyong taong talagang nagbibigay sa iyo inspirasyon at kilig.

Ikaw ano ang  nakapagbibigay sa iyo ng positive vibes? Share mo naman!