How do you typically embrace the world? Are you constantly waiting for the storm to arrive, or do you look forward to a day of uncertainty? Do you typically see the good in most situations, or are you constantly looking over your shoulder? nnI am a firm believer that the lens through which you see the world can color all your experiences in life. I was lucky enough to have been brought up in a loving and enriching home, where we expected the best and survived the worst. My mother fought illness after illness with a grace that to this day I cannot comprehend, and still she stopped to smell the roses. She always saw life from the vantage point of the cup being half full, even at her worst.nnWe are all dealt situations in our lives that can alter and shift our foundations, diminishing our feelings of safety and security. We have the power to choose how to respond to these circumstances. Sometimes it is easier to have a pity party, which can be therapeutic. But then it is important to brush ourselves off, raise our heads, and move on with living. nnWould it not feel better to walk into an unknown situation prepared and expecting the best than preparing for the worst possible outcome and then creating just that? Mentally preparing yourself ahead of time for a positive end raises your confidence and creates an atmosphere that supports your desired result. Even if the end result is unknown to you at the time, you have the power to think positively and expect the best. I guarantee you that the act itself of thinking more positively will create an environment that supports a positive outcome.nLet me share with you from personal experience exactly how this has worked in my own life. I have always assumed things would work out for me, both personally as well as professionally. This is my attitude in general—a bit of naïveté, if you will. When I embarked on my coaching career, I attained more in the first year than most coaches attain throughout their careers. I am not talking financially—I am referring to getting my name and brand out in the media. Within the first couple months the newspapers were printing my articles. Within the first six months I was a regular expert guest on a major morning radio show. Several months after that, a major television news station created a coaching segment with one of my clients and me. All this happened because I simply believed that it would. I had no reason not to believe that all these doors and opportunities would open for me. Again, I assumed the best and made it happen. The opportunities continued to present themselves to me, and again, I just kept going in the same direction. Assuming the best will give you an attitude of not giving up because you know it will happen at the right time. Your attitude and energy leave an imprint on those around you—how do you want to be remembered? Commit to looking at life from a different angle and see what doors open and how you feel. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the results. nnFollow some simple tips to begin your progress in the right direction.nnAction TipsnnTrack your thoughts. Just as you would log your finances to see where your money is going, track how many negative thoughts pop into your mind on a daily basis. Many of us are unaware how often our negative thoughts cloud our choices and decisions. Make a commitment to track your negative voice for a couple days. Make a mark every time the voice pops up, and at the end of the day, tally your marks. This will give you a visual of how you are influenced by the voice in your head.nnChange your language. Now that you have tracked your negative thoughts, you need to replace them with more positive dialogue. What are you most critical of in your life? Do you put yourself down regarding your appearance? Do you criticize the job you do at work? Replace these thoughts with more constructive words that support you. Every time a negative thought pops into your head, stop it and reframe it more positively. A good tool to use is to buy yourself 10–20 index cards. On the front of the cards, write down the disempowering thoughts that cloud your mind on a typical day. For example, you might write “I am unattractive and fat.” On the opposite side of the index card, write the exact opposite. You would then write “I am beautiful and healthy.” I want you to read the positive index cards several times a day. Reading the positive cards will help you begin to see yourself in that light, thus creating an environment that supports those statements.nnStart your day on a positive note. The way you begin your day, your outlook, lays the foundation for the rest of your day. No matter what the day has in store for you, take control by lifting yourself and your spirits right from the beginning. You can say a positive affirmation, focus on your strengths and natural gifts, or just create a positive tone before you embark on your day. Again, this only takes a couple minutes every day, but it will set a standard that you will ultimately reach for.nnn** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit
http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways3.html n