How to Shift Your Perspective to Have a Positive Outlook

Learning to shift your perspective and develop a positive attitude is a core skill for building a meaningful life.

Teaching yourself to think from a more positive perspective can help you face the challenges of life. Shifting your perspective isn't an easy process, but these tips can provide a helpful guide.

1. 1. Reframe your thoughts. An easy way to find a positive perspective in any area of your life is to reframe your mental attitude towards everyday situations. Instead of mentally telling yourself that you "have to" do something, you can find a silver lining by telling yourself that you "get to" do it. For example, saying, "I have to clean the house" has a negative connotation since it frames cleaning as an unwanted responsibility. On the other hand, saying "I get to clean the house" reframes the chore as something you're looking forward to, emphasizing the value of having a place to live in the first place. Using a positive mindset to reframe tasks in your daily life is a great way to change your perspective and improve your mental health.
2. 2. Recite a positive inner monologue. It's normal for your self-talk to focus on negative thoughts, so make an active effort to use the power of positivity to change your inner monologue for the better. Every day, set a reminder to think positive thoughts in order to increase your confidence and make you feel happier. You can even write and recite a longer positive affirmation each morning.
3. 3. View situations from a different perspective. When you're upset due to the actions of someone else, it's often helpful to look at the situation from a different angle. Considering the situation from the other person’s point of view may help you empathize and understand why they acted the way they did.
4. 4. Think from a macro level. Changing your perspective to focus on the big picture can be a useful tool for positive change. It's all too easy to let a small negative event send your mind into a downward spiral, which is why thinking from a micro perspective can be harmful. When you instead focus on the big picture, it's easier to not sweat the small stuff.
5. 5. Remove negativity from your life. It's hard to practice positive thinking when you're surrounded by bad things or people who are constantly putting negative thoughts into your brain. For example, if browsing social media or reading the news puts you into a negative mental state, it might be best to limit your time doing those activities and instead do things that you find rejuvenating or constructive. Similarly, if one of your family members or friends is constantly pulling you into their sphere of negative energy, choose to spend time with more positive people instead. Surrounding yourself with positivity can be an essential step in the quest to living your best life.
6. 6. Take care of your body. Your mental well-being is strongly linked to your physical well-being. It's much easier to maintain a positive attitude when you get enough sleep, drink enough water, and exercise regularly. Simple changes like getting eight hours of sleep a night or going for a walk every day might be the key to finding that new perspective and sustaining a positive outlook.
7. 7. Perform a good deed. While changing perspective requires that you do a lot of work to improve your own personal life, you’ll also find that it feels to help others. Find a loved one, coworker, or a stranger in need and do something nice to brighten their day—even if it means getting out of your comfort zone.

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