8 Ways to stay positive amidst adversity

It’s inevitable that when you are on the road less travelled, trying to achieve your goals, starting a new business, career or family, you will get hit by adversity. Its life! It has its ups and downs, we all know that. But how you react to these adversities is what sets you apart from the masses. My advice on how to stay positive amidst adversity is outlined in the points below:

1) Hope for the best but plan for the worst You’ve heard this before, but do you apply this principle? Put all your efforts behind the best possible outcome for yourself and those involved but have a game plan to handle unfavourable circumstances. Set aside time to play devil’s advocate with yourself and think of the things that may go wrong and create possible solutions.

2) Always look for the needle in the haystack There is a positive in every conflict or adverse circumstance, look for it and you may even find an opportunity. I share with you, one of my favorite quotes by Napolean Hill, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit. “ So seek and ye shall find!

3) Develop a Filtering system Learn to be a selective listener and filter out the negative chatter that tends to follow us where we go. If you are at the salon, bank or some other public place, tune out the negative. Keep a smile on your face always and when asked “How are you?” or some similar question, respond in a colorfully positive way. Respond with “Fabulous”, “Absolutely fantastic”, “Great!” [my personal favorite]. When asked why you are in such a good mood, respond with a simple reply about something you’re grateful for in your life.

4) Surround yourself with positive people Push back or guard yourself from negative people who second-guess your dreams. Align yourself with people who are working on or have achieved similar goals. When you associate with people who are driven and are pushing themselves to succeed, it helps you to get your own momentum going. Positive people also make great cheerleaders!

5) Set aside some time for physical fitness Establish a workout routine. This will help you feel better about yourself and it will pour over into your business, career and personal life. A balanced diet and multivitamin supplements helps too.

6) Feed your mind Read motivational and inspirational material each day. You need to condition your mind day by day in order to stay positive. Make this a daily ritual, just like eating. Read stories or autobiographies of people who have overcome adversity. Know that the human spirit is strong and if they can survive and thrive in tough times, you can too.

7) Be grateful Start a gratitude journal and write down 3 to 5 things you are grateful for each day. Take a look at it if you start to feel down, it is guaranteed to cheer you up. Even if you do not have much now, focus on what you do have and be grateful for it. Being grateful for the little things prepares you to be grateful for the bigger things when they come your way.

8) Volunteer Give your time or help financially if you can. Look outside of yourself for ways you can help in your local community or give to a global cause.