Positive (And Negative) Thinking

Often the term "Positive Thinking" has something of a negative connotation: Sometimes it's used to describe people that are deluding themselves and are out of touch with "reality."

However true Positive Thinking, in my opinion, is an amazing thing: It can make you happier, healthier, help you overcome failure, and generally make you a more inspiring and charismatic person to be around. In fact it's been proven that 90% of what we worry about never happens and so, many times, Positive Thinking is actually more realistic than Negative Thinking.

Negative Thinking is something that many people experience. In his wonderful book "The Success Principles" Jack Canfield explains the various Automatic Negative Thoughts (or ANTs for short) that people process. And they are:

1. Always-Or-Never Thinking
This is when you use all-or-nothing words such as: "I will never be a successful Entrepreneur." And "I always fail." Reality isn't as black and white as that. If you catch yourself thinking like this, replace your thoughts with what is really true. Such as "Sometimes I fail, however, I know I can be successful."

2. Focusing On The Negative
This is when although there are positives to taken from a situation, you only focus on what is negative. Many people do this habitually. A good exercise for balancing this type of thinking out is to take 7 minutes every morning to write down all of the things you appreciate in your life. And to consciously look for the positive aspects of any given situation.

3. Guilt-Tripping
This is when you use words such as: "Should," "must," "ought to," or "have to." Guilt is never productive and it may hold you back from being a successful Entrepreneur. If you find yourself thinking like this, replace your thinking with empowering words such as: "It's in my best interest to …" and "It would support my goals to …"

4. Labelling
This is when you attach a negative label to yourself or others. Such as "I am a failure." In reality, we all fail sometimes and just because something didn't work out, that doesn't mean that you yourself are a "failure." Challenge the thought we something like: "Although I failed, I learned something from the experience and I know I can succeed next time."

Make the decision today to be a more Positive Thinker. Because it will help you become a more successful Entrepreneur. You will see the opportunity in every adversity, and you will attract everything you need.
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