MINDSET: Secret Revealed – Access Positivity Fast!

‘Secret Revealed – Access Positivity Fast!’ by Paula McSporran published in Great Health Guide (Aug 2015). Very often you hear the words – think positively! However, what is the secret to positive thinking? Will thinking alone be enough to behave positively? Read Paula’s article about how we can think and behave in a positive manner.

Read other Mindset articles on Great Health Guide, a hub of expert-inspired resources empowering busy women to embody health beyond image … purpose beyond measure.

MINDSET: Secret Revealed – Access Positivity Fast!

written by Paula McSporran

So often we hear that all we need to do is think positively, then we’ll be talking positively and good things will happen because we’ll be feeling better and feeling positive. Or, perhaps you were told as a child to always be nice to people – implying that when we say nice things, people will be nice in return. This meant that the world will be a ‘happier’ place. Or maybe you were told to just ‘Be Happy’. This is easier said than done. Sometimes you’re tired and you want to be happy, you want to feel positive, but you just can’t keep it up day after day.

Well, the great news is we’re here to help and teach you a couple of things we didn’t learn at school. Research shows that when you are thinking positively, the chances of feeling more positive [happier, better, more energetic] are significantly higher than thinking negatively. 

However, positive thinking is only one part of this equation. We communicate through the relative impact of words, tone of voice, and body language. 

If you are unwell, tired or sad, the chance of your body language being incongruent with your thinking is pretty high. In this situation your head is lowered and eyes are looking towards or at the floor, with your shoulders and back slumped forward. The sad feelings are conducive to the posture of your body. Body posture is also affected by negative self-talk, which is the talking that goes on inside your head – repeatedly. 

Examples of negative self-talk include: ‘you’ll never look as good as her’, ’stay at your desk, they don’t want to really hear from you’, or ‘you’ll never be able to do that!’

So how is it possible for you to introduce positive thinking, to help you to feel positive and happy for a long period of time, when virtually every part of your body is communicating to you to do the exact opposite?

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Look to your right…

 

Let’s do an exercise and test the theory!

Before the full secret is revealed, let’s do a quick (and pain free) exercise so you have a greater understanding of what we’re sharing. 

If you are sitting, sit upright. Place your feet flat on the floor and have your spine comfortably against the back of the chair. Remember how the school teachers used to tell you to sit up straight in class, well actually there is some science behind this to support the ultimate learning state. (More on that another time). 

Now, breathe in through the nose and out again. Ensure you expand your stomach as you breathe rather than raising your shoulders, helping you to relax rather than be stimulated. As you sit comfortably upright in the chair, breathing in through the nose to inflate your stomach and exhale, notice your surroundings directly in front of you and above you. Take in the colours, the sounds, any smells and feel the comfort of the chair supporting you and the floor under your feet.

Then bring to mind what you could be grateful for. Can you imagine at least three things that you could be grateful for as you sit comfortably, looking upwards towards the ceiling? How easy was it to imagine the third thing you could be grateful for? Did you stop at three or were you feeling so good that you chose to add a few more things you have gratitude for?

Take a moment now, as you read, to pause and check-in on how you are feeling.

Do you notice any difference or similarities compared with how you were feeling before you did this exercise? Remember, you can do this exercise to test the theory or amplify your positive feelings right now. Or, simply go ahead to the next paragraph because you have a heightened awareness and understanding of the power of positive thinking.

Physiology is the key. Since physiology is concerned with the functions and activities of life combined with the physical and chemical phenomena involved in our bodies, then how our body feels impacts enormously on our thinking.

When you have the physiology of a confident person, you feel more confident. When you have the physiology of a positive state, you will bring on those positive feelings. And when you are feeling more positive, you will be able to access the thoughts and language of positivity so much easier and for longer periods of time. Positive thinking will lead to positive thoughts, conversations and actions.

When you are experiencing life feeling more positive, you will naturally create opportunities for yourself and continue to re-create these positive experiences. Best of all, your body will want to continue to feel this way.

Summary

Feelings in our body occur through physiology which then impacts our thinking. So the secret to thinking and feeling more positive is to first start with your posture.

1. Check the state of your physiology regularly.

2. Sit up or sit with a straight back, hold head high, shoulders back with eyes looking forward and upwards (eye level and above). Both feet are flat on the floor.

3. Smile and while looking upwards, remind yourself what you are grateful for. Do this regularly until this becomes a habit, then create it as a daily ritual as a gift to yourself.

Here’s to your continued success, happiness and prosperity.

Author of this article:

Paula McSporran is an Executive Performance Coach, highly skilled and experienced, as well as a Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Her clients become skilled and confident in the art of negotiation and communication. Clients increase their team’s performance and individual productivity. Paula is also an expert in reducing stress, conflict and procrastination. Connect with Paula on: 0421 976 381 or through her Facebook or email.

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