Waking up day after day motivated and positive sounds easy to someone who is happy and at a good state of mind, but it isn’t the easiest task in the world for those who wake up with negativity every single day. Every individual struggles with this at one point of his/her life. Morning enthusiasm is crucial for succeeding in life and conquering the goals of each day as they come by. But the truth is, sometimes we get overwhelmed by all the obligations of everyday life. We live in a fast-paced world, and between our business, family, friends, short-term and long-term goals we get stuck in a motivational rut that’s hard to get out of. Not to mention all the expectations that you have to live up to from the society, friends, boss or family.
You wake up and think of all the things you have to do today, and then you just give up. You decide that it’s impossible to achieve and that it’s useless to even try. This is known as negative thinking or the destroyer of motivation. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break, because the longer you succumb to negativity, the harder it is to break free from it. You only focus on the negative and not the positive. However, it’s been done before, and it is possible, since there is more than one way to break this vicious cycle and change your own thoughts.
1. Don’t Play the Victim
Nobody is responsible for the way you live and everything that happens to you. It’s so easy to blame others; your boss, your friends or your co-workers for something that’s going wrong, but playing the victim isn’t going to lead to the solution and feel better. Although some things might be out of your control, pointing fingers and feeling victimized is only going to push you deeper into negativity. Taking control of your own actions is essential, and it begins by taking responsibility for all your actions. Think about what you can do to make your life better, and what you can change yourself, starting from the way you think.
2. Have Daily Negative Thought Time
It is a paradoxical strategy, but it helps you identify where your negativity comes from and aids you to face it. Take some time out of your day to face your negative thoughts. Think about all that is frustrating you and bringing you down, and analyze it thoroughly. Don’t let your negative thoughts consume you but don’t run away from your problems either. It can be in the morning or before you go to sleep, and as short as five minutes. However, give yourself a chance to process all your negativity instead of just burying it under the carpet.
3. Be Your Own Best Friend
When times get hard, who’s to blame? You, of course! That’s the first thought that comes to your mind, right? If you see no other solution, it’s easy to be mean to yourself and tear yourself down. The root of your negativity might just be your own opinion about yourself. If you’re constantly criticizing yourself, belittling your own achievements and thinking that you’re incapable of doing better, you’ll eventually start feeling and believing that it is true. However, if you stop belittling your own actions and start valuing yourself more, you will see that you’ll start being more efficient at solving whatever problems you are faced with. Be your own motivator. Don’t wait for anyone to praise you.
4. Sing
Singing is therapeutic, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a good singer or not. Some people like to sing under the shower, and some like to sing for the attention in front of large crowds. No matter what type of a person you are, there’s no place for negative thinking when you’re singing. Sing the tunes that you find pleasant and that make you happy, and sing for positive thinking.
5. Read Positive Quotes
You’re bound to stumble upon at least one motivational quote when you sit behind your computer, or unlock your Smartphone to check what’s new online. The world is filled with inspirational quotes that are lurking behind every virtual corner, and all you have to do is click! Even if it seems too simple, reading a few inspiring thoughts can quickly make the wheels of your brain turn and shift into another direction.
6. List 5 Things You’re Grateful For
It’s easy to succumb to negative thinking if you’re only focusing on the things you’re missing or doing wrong. Although being ambitious is a virtue, staying humble and grateful is necessary to keep you in balance. So here’s a simple strategy to start your day off with a clean slate. List 5 things that you’re grateful for every day. Or, if you’re busy, focus on writing them at the end of the week. But make sure you take the time to focus on all the positive aspects of your life.
7. Focus on Gratitude
In addition to writing out what you’re grateful for, you can also start focusing on gratitude. Think about what you’re grateful for every day when you open your eyes. Look around you. Be aware of where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing in your life. Think about what you have been through in life, and focus on gratitude. You’re still here, and you have an entire life to live. It’s in your hands. Focus on being grateful for another day, that’s automatically a new chance for achieving everything you haven’t achieved before.
8. Stop Watching the News
The news is more often filled with negativity and doubt, than they are with joy and positivity. This is the world that we live in, and if the news make you feel less positive about the future, then don’t read them. You’re not going to miss out on life, but be a little bit more picky about what you hear, watch or read, because it can have a great impact on what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling, whether you accept it or not.
9. Turn the Negatives into Positives
You promised yourself that the next time you wake up, you’re going to start the day with a happy thought. But you woke up, and you’re once again feeling down. This is the crucial moment when you need to change the game. Stop for a second to realize you’re thinking negatively. But don’t continue with the negativity. Instead, analyze your first negative thought.
Why are you feeling that way? Are you determined to change it? Of course you are! This is the perfect time to break the cycle and turn the negative thoughts into something positive. The key is, to keep catching yourself in your own negativity and taking what you’re feeling and doing something positive, instead of waiting for the negativity to consume you.
10. Positive Affirmations
It’s easy to start the day with a negative thought. But, it’s actually equally simple to start the day with a positive thought! Positive affirmations are crucial for breaking negative thinking patterns. Nobody will make you feel better, because at the end of the day, you are the only one who can stop your own thoughts, or control them. Thinking positive and saying out loud can help you feel better. You want to start of your day by wishing yourself a wonderful day! Say to yourself: I am going to have a great day! Repeat it, write it out, and put sticky notes with positive affirmations on your mirror. Read them, think about them repeat them and believe them!
11. Find a Purpose
Do you wake up and don’t see what the point of this day is? Does it feel like you don’t have a purpose in life? If the answer is yes, then you need to do something about it. Having a house, a family and your dream job is great, but you need to find your own purpose. You need to step out of the role you’ve been given and discover who you’re meant to be.
There’s no better way to do this than by getting involved in helping others. It can be animals or people, but try and do something for others every day. Try to do something that’s going to make a difference. If you’re focusing on making a difference in the world, you’re going to feel more motivated about waking up every day and doing everything you can to make that difference.
12. Start Meditating
Both the negative and positive thoughts can be difficult to access if your brain is working 24/7. Sometimes, the only way to become more positive is to shut off your brain and press the turn off button. Meditation is a powerful technique that will enable you to relax, unwind and focus on yourself only. Once you calm down and find your peace, you’re going to be able to focus on every single thought – the ones that are bothering you and the ones that are going to make you happy. Only when you’re calm and your mind is rested can you feel and think more positive, and stop negative thinking altogether.
Unfortunately, you can’t meditate once and expect all your negativity to go away. Meditation is a technique that requires practice and time, but with patience you’ll get to reap all the benefits and heal your mind so that you end up in a better state of mind.
13. Surround Yourself with Positive People
If you’re in the ocean, you can’t expect your clothes to be dry. The same is with your mind. If you’re constantly surrounded by negative, doubtful, sad people you’re going to eventually start thinking and acting like them.
You want to be that person that’s bright and positive, and makes everyone else feel great about themselves. But you can’t do that if you’re constantly dragged down by the negative people around you. If you’re not surrounded by people who support your goals, step away from that toxic environment. Surround yourself with everything that you want to have and everything that you want to become. Only from examples can you learn to be what you want to be. Positive people can help you change your entire life.
If you want to stop thinking negatively and transform yourself into a positive, uplifting person, don’t make excuses. Make changes and start right now. 
