“Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” –  Walt Whitman.

We are all unique in our own ways. No two people can have the same perception about a thing. For example, two people see the same cloud, but one of them perceives the cloud’s shape to be of a horse while the other perceives it to be a rabbit. How we perceive things define our attitudes towards it. What is attitude? Our attitude is the disposition to respond favourably or unfavourably to a person, event or an object. Why are we talking about positive attitude? Any organization, be it the Armed Forces or any MNC, would without a doubt value an officer or an employee who has a positive attitude. A person with a negative attitude isn’t really liked by people and in the workplace such people end up being a liability. We acquire attitudes by our interactions with the environment, our experiences and our education.

In today’s time, life can throw some really challenging situations at us and it becomes stressful most of the times. During such situations, it can become very difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Nonetheless, ,

Here are some ways:

1. Don’t search for happiness. Create it.
Understand that happiness is a state of mind. Ironically our search for happiness itself can become very stressful sometimes. Don’t just sit and wait for happiness, go out and make it happen for yourself. Create a happy environment for yourself from this moment onwards. In doing so your attitude towards things becomes positive and life becomes a happy journey instead of being a challenge.

2. Count your blessings
Sit down alone and literally count your blessings and be thankful for them. We have a tendency to overlook what went right and to focus on what went wrong. Be thankful for whatever you have. Being content with one’s life helps in developing a positive attitude.

3. Focus on the good. Not the bad
Shift your focus from the things that make you sad or make you anxious and think about things that comfort you. It helps in reducing the stress levels. It’s difficult to have a “glass half full” attitude in cumbersome situations but you’d rather have the glass half full than the glass half empty right?

4. Surround yourself with positive people
We become easily influenced by the people with whom we interact day in and day out. If you are surrounded by people who have negative attitudes about everything it’s going to rub off on you sooner or later. Before you know it, you’ll become like them. Similarly, when you are surrounded by people who have a positive outlook towards life, you will also adopt the same perspective.

5. Exercise
Exercising not only helps the body but also the mind. It helps to lower the stress levels and relieve anxiety. Exercise also helps in preventing cognitive decline and sharpens your memory.

6. Watch what you are eating
what you eat can have a major impact on your mood and outlook towards life. Eat food that has enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These may help protect against depression. It’s important to get enough vitamin D as well as it can help increase the serotonin levels in the brain. A diet which is rich in vegetables, fruits and lean protein helps in feeling better mentally and physically.

7. Decide and prioritize.
Discover your purpose in life. Try visualising your future: where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years? What goals do you have and how to achieve them? Prioritize your life and determine what is important for you. Prioritizing everything can help you achieve a better balance in your life. This aids in avoiding confusion and since you know what you want in life, you’ll be more likely to have a positive approach towards achieving your goals. In the long run, it’ll be beneficial for you.

8. Talk to yourself.
You are your biggest critic. Nobody knows you better than yourself. So talk to yourself. Give pep and motivational talks to yourself. Motivate yourself rather than getting motivated by others. For example, someone might listen to a motivational song first thing in the morning or stand in front of the mirror and say a few positive words to themselves. Whatever works right?

9. Live in the present.
Don’t get bogged down by thinking of the past and don’t get anxious by thinking about the future. Just live in the moment and seize it. Enjoy the moment that you’re in. That’s the only things in your control. You can’t change the past. Your future pretty much depends on your present. So focus on it, works towards a better future.

10. Accept challenges. Don’t crib.
Consider two people, one who cribs all the time about dealing with challenges and one who accepts them and works towards solving them. In the long run, which one is likely to develop a positive attitude towards life and challenges? The second person. If you accept challenges with optimism and solve the problem, your self-efficacy (the belief that you can do a particular task) will increase which will ultimately result in a positive attitude towards yourself and others. Try adopting these ways in your daily life and remember that attitude changes everything!