Some people are great about finding the positive in any situation and telling you about it. They are the types of bosses, coworkers, teachers, and friends who will give you some constructive criticism while pointing out everything you’ve done right, even if the project or situation turns out to be a total mess. They are the people that build you up and give you the confidence boost you need to go back and fix things or start from scratch.
Then there are people who can’t give a compliment without also pointing out your shortcomings. They tend to focus on the negative in every situation and are quick to share that with you. These people can be hard to live and work with. The big question is what type of person are you and how do you think and communicate about your life and your surroundings.
If increased happiness is your goal, I suggest you work on making sure you think and communicate in a more positive way. Why is thinking important? Because it is how we communicate with ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather spend my time becoming my biggest cheerleader, than my worst critic. Heaven knows we tear ourselves down enough.
Here’s the good news. How you think and how you communicate can be learned and unlearned. That means if you’re a bit of a pessimist right now, you can learn to think, be, and talk in a more positive way. Of course, learned behaviors and habits aren’t always easy to change.
Step one is that you have to want to change.
Step two is to learn to recognize your behavior as it happens. Listen to the thoughts that are happening in your head and stop to make yourself think before you speak.
Step three is to practice the new habit and behavior. And that’s really all there is to it.
Take a few minutes to reflect on how you have been thinking today.
Think back on conversations you’ve had with others and get a feel for how you communicate with yourself and others. Are you as positive as you’d like to be, or is there room for improvement. If so, start implementing the simple three step process above and keep practicing until this more positive way of thinking and communicating has become a strong new habit. Tell others that you are working on it and they can help remind you when you get negative. It will have a big impact in your own happiness and that of those around you.
What do you think about communication and the impact it can have on your life?
Positive thoughts your way,
PS – We can only work on ourselves and that can be frustrating. How will you work on you to encourage others to follow in your happier footsteps?
I'd love to help you on your journey to being a happier YOU, firewife to firewife.
In your email you mentioned the silent communication. Sometimes we don’t pay enough attention to that internal daily dialogue. Joel Osteen one of my favorite preachers talks about the power of I am. We all need to remember whatever follows the words I am (smart, confident, beautiful, etc.) is so important. We need to talk about things as we want them to be even if they are not. Believe that whatever it will be God willing- His will be done. Besides He is our Father and He wants us to be happy, confident and well able. Chins up eyes open and today is going to be a great day!
Yes, it flows nicely with the fake it, till you make it. If you are not feeling those words, just keep saying them until you believe them.