Have you ever wondered why success comes easily for some people and not so easily for others? They may have even put in the same amount of effort, but one reaches their goals and the other doesn’t. One factor that comes into play is oftentimes overlooked:
The type of thoughts going on in their head.
You see, one could be living a life filled with positive thinking and the other could be plagued with doubts and negative thinking. Successful people tend to have one common characteristic – they believe that they will certainly be successful, even if they trip and fall down along their journey. They understand that slip ups and pitfalls may indeed occur as they go after what they desire, but they don’t let such things stop them.
They choose optimism or the power of positive thoughts.
How do you think you’re doing when it comes to your thought life? Do you seem to spend more time thinking positive or negative thoughts? Do you take time throughout your day to gauge what’s going on in your mind?
If your friends or family were asked if you are a pessimist or optimist, what do you think they’d say?
When it comes to the road of addiction recovery, your state of mind is ultra-important. The serenity prayer indicates how valuable it is to keep your mind in check. Accepting the things you cannot change and courageously changing the things you can (like what kinds of thoughts you think) can help you on your recovery path.
Roy T. Bennet, author of The Light in the Heart, says, “Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
Shifting your energy begins with being mindful of your thought life, refusing to ruminate on negativity or worry about the future.
Whether you’re in recovery from an addiction, or thinking about stopping drinking or taking a drug, consider how powerful changing your mindset can be. And, consider how easy it is to do, because you can literally start changing your thoughts anywhere.
To help you become a person who spends the majority of time entertaining positive thoughts in your effort to attain success on all levels, here are some helpful tips:
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Feed your mind with positive thoughts.
Think of your mind as a starving animal. It’s hungry and you have the opportunity to feed it positive or negative thoughts. As best as you can, focus on positive and encouraging statements, such as: I am worthy. I am good enough. I am becoming more positive each day. Even if I fall down, I’m going to get right back up.
Be persistent.
Changing your mindset from negative to positive does not occur overnight. It takes persistence and steady practice to control and regulate your thoughts towards the positive. You may have to remind yourself daily that you’re becoming more mindful of your thought life.
Be objective rather than subjective.
Try to become an observer of your thoughts or your situation. See the situation or problem from a point of neutrality. It might help if you think of yourself as a “thought detective”, on the lookout for negative ones and replacing them with more positive ones.
Reframe your thoughts.
Whenever you get a negative thought in your mind, try reframing such thoughts with more positive ones. For example, reframe “I am never going to be successful” with “I am successful every day as I go about my life doing the best I can.” Reframe “I just can’t get ahead” with “I am growing on all levels every day. Even if I don’t see changes immediately, I know I am growing and changing for the better.”
Start questioning yourself.
Inner inquiry can be super helpful for changing your mindset. Ask questions such as:
What brought about this thought? What would be a better way of handling the situation? How can I overcome this challenge?
Say ‘stop’.
You can even try saying, “Stop!” loudly when you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts. Use gentle ways of reminding yourself when you feel you are not performing up to your goals.
Be disciplined.
Try to remain motivated and disciplined. Discipline is extremely valuable to those who are successful in each area of life. When it comes to recovery from addiction, how can you discipline yourself to keep your sobriety? Attend meetings or therapy regularly? Commit to an addiction treatment program? Follow through on recommendations?
Praise yourself.
Instead of constantly criticizing yourself, praise yourself and treat yourself with compassion and kindness. Say encouraging and supportive words. If you accomplish something, give yourself a pat on the back. You can even sing praises for just trying. The old saying, “You are what you think”, really does hold true, so regardless of how the journey is going, give yourself some kind of affirmation regularly.
Live in the present.
Do your best to stop thinking about what might have been or about the future. Become more mindful of what’s happening right here in the moment. Make it your aim to live more in the present moments, offering gratitude for all the good in your life.
Confront your worst fears.
Fears can potentially control our lives. You may be afraid to take any chances due to fears or insecurity. Confront and face them with positive thoughts and ask yourself, “What am I afraid of? What could possibly happen that could be so catastrophic?” You may be surprised to realize that what you’re afraid of just isn’t as rational as you may have thought.
If you need help confronting your fears, feel free to reach out for help from a counselor, mentor, or someone else you can trust.
Choosing Positivity Takes Guts
Whether you’re seeking an alcohol or drug rehab program, or you’re already walking the addiction recovery path, know that positivity matters. In fact, choosing positivity amidst various concerns, fears, etc. takes guts. It takes a courageous act of hope that you can indeed overcome addiction and go on to create the kind of life you truly desire.
It takes time, effort, and practice, and often it takes some support. If you’re seeking an addiction treatment center or recovery house in the Vancouver area, feel free to reach out to us here at Into Action Recovery for assistance. We’re here to help you get free from addiction, as well as enjoy a more positive mindset.
