Why Is It So Hard to Create a Positive Mindset?

You just have to look on the bright side — find the silver lining — think good thoughts! Because if you do, that positive mindset will make all of your problems magically disappear, right? Isn’t this what we’re led to believe by the well-meaning people who utter these words when they don’t know what else to say? And haven’t we all used these words ourselves in an effort to offer encouragement or support to someone who is suffering?

But it’s not that easy is it? In fact, creating a positive mindset can feel downright impossible some days. And then what happens? You end up in a self-defeating cycle. You ask yourself, “Why can’t I think more positively? What’s wrong with me?” In turn, those thoughts make you feel like a failure; like you’re somehow less than your well-meaning counterparts who are telling you to let the sunshine in. And, you end up feeling even worse. It’s like the hole of negativity you’re in is made of sand, so as you try to climb out of it, you’re just covered in more sand — more negative thoughts.

Still, we want to create a positive mindset because there are too many benefits to ignore — benefits to our physical state, our mental state, and our overall well being. Benefits that will help us realize the fulfilling life we were meant to live. Plus, we only get one chance at this crazy thing called life, so we might as well try to enjoy it, right?

Then let’s stop kidding ourselves and believing the hype. We can’t just turn a positive mindset on like a faucet and expect it to wash all our negative thoughts away. There’s no shortcut; no magic pill. It’s going to take a lot of Deliberate Thinking, effort, and practice. And we’re going to start today by discussing:

• Some of the reasons it’s so hard to create a positive mindset (i.e. what we’re up against),
• The foundational characteristics of a positive mindset, and
• Some daily habits you can implement that will empower you to create a positive mindset.

I can say with absolute certainty that if you stick around, by the end of this essay you will have learned every single thing you’ll ever need to know about a positive mindset. (You didn’t buy that did you? Just checking. 😉) But seriously, I hope that you’ll be empowered to create at least one daily habit that will get you closer to living the fulfilling life you were meant to live.