With all the drama filled distractions that enter our life everyday, it can be a challenge to stay positive, and focused all day long. Negativity is a true motivation and drive killer!
We all have our own “stuff” to deal with, and our daily drive can get lowered substantially when our peers bombard us with their problems as well.
Here are my personal steps to staying positive all day.
1) Start early.
When I wake up, I drink my one coffee of the day (like the commercials it puts a smile on my face first thing!) while moving around.
2) Do not turn on the TV, check emails, or visit social media sites!
This will take some discipline. We have been trained to dive right into these things first thing, and all of them can deliver negative messages. It’s hard to stay positive when the first thing you take in is last nights shooting victims, car accidents, house fires, kidnappings, companies downsizing, and serial killers (did I mention I live in a Suburb of Cleveland).
3) Be active.
Exercising releases endorphins that create a positive feeling in your body, and leads to an energizing outlook on life. Breaking a sweat first thing really does clear your head, and your best ideas will come to you during this time! You do not have to go to the gym, and curl 100’s of pounds if that is not your thing. Three years ago my wife, and I started walking for 30 to 60 minutes, with smoothie in hand, at 6am every morning. After 30 days of this we were hooked, and graduated to more intense routines! Find what’s fun for you (cardio, weight lifting or running) and add it to your daily routine!
4) If you do not have a good positive peer to work out with listen to your favorite podcast.
Unlike the news, podcasts deliver killer content, and will help your ideas flow! I try to listen to 2 to 4 podcasts daily although taking on this much content can sometimes distract me from my projects. It’s still great to hear relatable interviews of struggle to triumph! These stories will keep you focused on your current goals, and why you want to achieve them!
5) Watch what you’re eating.
Stop filling your body with garbage and fast food! This will weigh you down, and you will spend more time thinking about how you feel like crap, then feeling motivated to take on the day! If you’re eating habits are horrible then start with green smoothies. If drinking your vegetables does not sound appealing to you, add a really ripe banana, and a scoop of protein this gives it a sweet flavor and a smooth texture. Your body will begin to crave this and you will give up the convenient fast food habit.
6) Be careful whose calls you take, texts you open, and emails you check during the day!
I have contractors that work for me that will call. Not to trouble shoot a situation, but to complain about LIFE! As positive, and motivated as I am, one negative call really can break my state. It’s no fun to try to clear that negativity out to regain your focus. I started giving people that do this the button! If they’re on a job site, and need troubleshooting, I’ll send them a text stating that “I’m in a meeting and can’t talk but what’s up?” If their really is a problem it can be solved by a short text without the 10 minutes of “poor me” talk.
If you are currently not doing these techniques Try them now, and practice these steps for 30 days! I guarantee they will improve your daily mental state. Worst case you can always go back to the old negative depressing routine if it doesn’t work for you!
How do you start and stay positive all day?
Michael Alder is an author, carpet business owner, and Real Estate entrepreneur. He’s passionate about helping young entrepreneurs harness their true potential. You can find him at MichaelAlder.com and on Facebook at Michael Alder.
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