Being positive is an important choice for success …… 🦅

By Thomas F O’Neill

I can remember the days before personal computers, the internet, smartphones, and social media. The world wasn’t always civil back then either and there were certainly civil divides, especially, during the Vietnam era. The civil divide in today’s world has become even greater due to social media. 

I like to point out that being a “negative” or a “positive” person isn’t something that just happens to us. We are not born “negative” or “positive” although our surroundings and life circumstances can certainly influence our outlook. The most important thing to remember is this: thinking positive is a decision, and it is an important one. When you choose to engage the world through positive thinking, you are deciding to take control of your thoughts and your life, and that is always a good thing.

We have all met the doomsayers; the challenge though is not to get trapped in their mindset. You need resilience to be positive and it is not always easy to stand up against the norm and remain optimistic in a world of people that love feeding off negativity.

Every day, people talk about the things that cannot be done or be achieved. Those naysayers can certainly place us in a negative state of mind but how we respond to their negativity is a conscious choice a decision we make. It takes courage to be different from mainstream thinking and focusing on the possibilities will provide us with a greater purpose. The dreamers, innovators, and world-changers are those who are steadfast in reaching their positive goals. They are the positive thinkers that focus on the possible, so when you think positive thoughts, you attract positive people in your life, and you will always be in good company.

Keep in mind also that it is impossible to stay positive when you blame others for everything and every little thing that happens to you. Positive thinkers do not do this, and it is a key reason why they are so powerful in their thoughts and actions. Those who are positive are not afraid to take responsibility for their lives and the choices they make. When you do this, you are operating at full capacity, it gives you immense control over your ultimate destiny.

 A sister trait of “positive thinking” is “positive action,” positive people are the doers, and movers toward building a better world for themselves and others. They do not give up at the first sign of a challenge, they believe there is always a way around any obstacle. They welcome helpful people and the opportunities that come their way. This translates into true grit because when you are willing to stand up, no matter how many times life gets you down, you will be a winner and that is sooner than later.

Positive people are not always dwelling on what went wrong in their lives. They do not spend endless hours analyzing a problem and feeling bad about why something did not go the way they wanted it to and mostly they discard the complaining. When you are positive, you are naturally drawn to outcome-based thinking. You are interested in results; therefore, positive thinkers are very solution-focused. The second they understand something needs to be fixed, they go out and find ways to fix it.

Keep in mind also, when you decide to take the positive road in life or the road less traveled, you will always be ready to pick yourself up and try again even after you have failed. When you do this, you are developing a powerful sense of adaptability, which is a critical trait for successful and happy people. Unhappy, negative people, dwell on their failures, mull over them and give up. But happy, successful people, face failures head-on, learn from what went wrong, and adapt so that they can avoid making the same mistake in the future.

It is not a coincidence that some of the world's most successful people share these character and mindset traits. Positive thinking is not for the weak-willed, and thinking positive is not just about “seeing the glass half-full.” It is about achieving your goals, living your dreams, and maybe even changing the world.

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

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