In difficult economic times, we hear a lot that is negative and angry. Does a negative attitude change our financial situation or motivate us to make changes for the good? Or does it just make us more angry and bitter, unable to take steps to make things better?
In the past I’ve allowed negative feelings about finances paralyze me with fear. I wanted to crawl into a black hole and sleep and not come out until everything was better.
But nothing would get better until I took positive steps. My very first step was to stop dwelling on the negative and focus on the positive. I started journaling. I wrote it all down; just purged the negativity. It felt as though I’d thrown it all in the trash.
The next step I took was to journal my ‘challenges’. Try referring to any problem you’re facing as a challenge. A challenge sounds like something that can be overcome, dealt with. It has a positive feeling to it.
After making a list of challenges, I wrote down what my ideal result or solution to it was. Then I put a target date down for overcoming the challenge.
Soon I had an extensive list of specific actions and dates. I began tackling them, one at a time. Each week I would review my list, make notes, and put the actual date of completion down.
Reviewing what I accomplished gave me the incentive to keep moving forward. By my target date I had accomplished my goal! My whole outlook on life changed. In less than one month I went from wanting to crawl into a dark hole to feeling excited about life, work and what the future held. I went from inactivity to feeling inspired.
Instead of feeling negative and angry because of the difficult economic times, let’s focus on the positive. Each time you think a negative thought, immediately think of one thing you are happy about—family, friends, the sunshine. Let’s see what a difference it can make in our lives. I don’t think it means all our problems will disappear. I do believe a positive attitude can help us overcome our challenges and be happy in spite of them.
Keep a journal. I continue to write down challenges and very specific steps I need to take to accomplish them. I continually review them, making notes and writing down the actual dates of accomplishment. It’s such an encouraging feeling to review my journal regularly and see what all I’ve accomplished.
If you need help changing a painfully negative outlook, please consider seeking professional help. You do not have to live with emotional pain and negativity.
