Turn Your Negative Into A Positive

When I was about ten, I was given a copy of the movie GRIT. The girl in the story fascinated me. She was dealing with a horrible situation and instead of crying in a corner or running away, she was relentless in her hope and pursuit of justice. Rattlesnake bites, being shot at, kidnapped – nothing deterred her. Through it all she stayed focused on her goal and was determined to see it to the end.

I like to think I am a positive and pragmatic person. I dream about what I want to do and the outcomes I am looking for, strategize about how I could get there, and take action. Wow have these times put all that to the test. Our world has changed so quickly and it is tempting to give in to all the negativity. Some days, I have to work to find one thing I can do that is meaningful, no matter how small.

It’s also important to identify what you lean on when negative things happen. Is it friends or family? A favorite hobby or giving back? I am lucky to have friends and a family I can vent to and who will call me on my bs. Then I put my cowboy hat back on, get back on the horse, and go make things happen.

I believe positivity is all about perspective. Where is the goal? What constructive feedback or improvement can be made to move us forward? When I get stuck with negative thoughts there are a few things I try.

• I makes lists of what I need to do next
• I write down pros and cons for decisions I need to make
• Sometimes I do a before/during/after exercise.
• I might go for a walk or do a work or home chore so my brain can work while my body gets something concrete done I can feel good about.

Complaining feels good in the moment, that’s true. Don’t get stuck! It’s a trap, a loop, a hamster wheel. Me, I prefer rollercoasters. Maybe it’s that gritty little girl inside me. I want to find solutions or be proactive and stop problems from forming in the first place if I can. It’s a lot more challenging to drive meaningful change. And I love a good challenge.