Resolve to Have a Positive Attitude in 2012

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you thing about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are." - Norman Vincent Peale

The new year always brings about great hopes that "this is going to be the year I _______". Why is it that so few people actually make this "the year they _______"? Last week I blogged about how to go through the formal goal setting and achieving process. Having a positive attitude is a key factor in whether or not you'll achieve those resolutions. 

I've written about positive attitude in the past, but with the new year upon us I wanted to again touch on this extremely powerful success vehicle. 

If you look at successful characteristics or traits as a pyramid, a positive attitude is one of the base corner blocks of the pyramid, if not the entire bottom base of the pyramid. If you have a strong enough base you can build and build and build to the highest of accomplishments. However, if the base has cracks or is weak it will eventually crumble, no matter how strong and solid the blocks are that sit on top of it.

Resolve to be more positive in 2012. How do you do this you ask? 

• Wake up each morning and immediately tell yourself "today is going to be a great day"
• Look for the good in every situation. Don't look at the obstacle and think "how the hell am I going to overcome this". Instead, look at the obstacle as an opportunity. Look for what the obstacle can teach you and tell yourself "I WILL overcome this". 
• Look for the good in every person. When you deal with somebody that is having a bad day and taking it out on you try to see things from their point of view. Now, don't make excuses for the person's behavior, but step in their shoes and try to understand "why". Also, if you know the person well, try to remember what you like about them instead of letting that negative moment get to you.
• When negative situations occur, which they most certainly will, make it a point to take it in, dissect it quickly, and put it behind you. Do not hold onto the negative encounter or situation. Negativity is like an annoying little rodent. If you encourage it or feed it it will keep coming back and make itself at home. If you cannot control it, be done with it and move on. Only worry about those things that are within your control. 
• Surround yourself with positive people and rid yourself of negative people. People that are constantly complaining or are always upset about something drain your energy. Rid yourself of those "energy vampires" (read The Energy Bus) and surround yourself with people that speak about positive situations during their day/life rather than the negative. 
• Practice positive affirmations. Saying positive words or phrases to yourself daily, even several times per day, puts the positive deep into your subconscious. Over time, your subconscious will be so strongly positive that you won't even need to remind yourself of the above 5 items - you'll just do it. 

I'm very passionate about positive attitude because I've seen, heard, and read about the powers it can unleash within you. 

One of my resolutions is to focus more on the positive in 2012. To help with that I've decided to keep a daily journal where I write down every positive situation, encounter, or moment from the day. I do this at the end of the day before bed to put myself in a positive frame of mind before I lay my head down at night. This has already helped me to rid myself of stress or worries before bed (resulting in deep, restful sleeps) and has been a great way to focus on the positive. 

What are your 2012 resolutions? What is your plan to achieve them?