So many of us struggle with having enough time, accomplishing our goals, and simply staying on track with all the things we must handle within our daily lives. With so many outside factors affecting us each moment; at times it feels as if our thoughts are not our own, we do not have enough time and we can not keep on top of anything. Because of these common stresses we all share, I have come up with a few pointers and things to focus on, to help you create a happier life and business.
1. Take Good Care of Yourself: It is much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For: Stresses and challenges do not seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are good in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Never Make Assumptions: A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member’s bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Do not waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof.
4. Refrain from Condemning Others: Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’ makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach from Negative Thoughts: Your thoughts can not hold any power over you if you do not accept them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, observe it, and release it.
6. Squash the “ANTs”: In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs” – Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,” or “The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!” When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice the love language of Physical Touch (Your Friends and Family): You do not have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she did not touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity: By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person: Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination: If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is hyper-focus on something negative. It is never productive because it is not rational or solution-oriented, it is just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment – go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.
I hope you found this helpful, and I look forward to keep sharing much more with you all, so you can become the Conscious Creator of your Life.
Ana Kevelin Reyes
Author, Mindset Coach & Speaker