The Secret to Staying Positive and Passionate

This article was originally published on October 7, 2015 and has been updated. 

How do you stay positive and passionate?  Do you struggle to stay positive, especially when you’re going through a difficult challenge? Is your lack of positive thinking stalling your progress?
 
I am often asked how I stay so positive and passionate. The answer is pretty simple.
 
Positive thinking isn’t hard. In fact, it’s easy to stay positive when you’re doing what you love. Think about it: it’s so much easier to stay positive in life when what you’re doing is supporting your growth, development, goals, and values.
 
When you’re doing what you love, you experience fewer curve balls. roadblocks, or situations that make you angry or sad.
 
Most importantly, when you’re doing what you love, you experience fewer challenges that make you question yourself.

My inner truth.
 
Here’s my inner truth—my life is not perfect all the time. But I choose to be positive and passionate in spite of it.
 
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to be more positive and passionate.
 
You can learn how to find your inner truth and focus on positivity when you understand how to get through bad moments—and what causes those bad moments.
 
So let’s draw back the curtain, shall we?
 
3 Times I don’t feel so positive and passionate (and what I do to overcome these feelings!)

1. When I’m around negative people.

Let’s be honest: negative people suck. Literally. They suck the life, energy, and happiness out of you. When I’m around negative people, I can feel them draining my positive attitude. I can feel my inner truth start to crumble.

It’s near impossible to be positive around people who suck the life out of you. Let’s refer to these people as emotional vampires—because in all reality, that’s exactly what they are.

A big part of my job is to coach people through difficult situations in their lives, situations they chose or were on the receiving end of.

The main difference between these people and emotional vampires, is that they are seeking to make a change and to use setbacks to learn and grow, rather than wallow.

I should be clear about something.

Expressing or acknowledging that you are struggling, or having the desire to clear feelings left after a bad experience, are very different from being a sucky person.

Being able to admit they’re stuck is what sets sucky people apart from the positive and passionate people.

Negative people bring us down. Remember that. If you have negative people in your life who are constantly sucking away your positive thinking, it may be time to rethink those relationships.

Don’t write them off completely, but be honest with them. Help them move forward. Use your own positive energy to bring positivity into their lives.

If nothing changes, it may be time to cut ties before they suck your own life out of you.

2. My values are being dishonored.

This can happen for a number of reasons. You could be doing it to yourself, or someone could be doing it to you.

An example of dishonoring your values is when you procrastinate on a big project, or do something that may prevent you from achieving your goals—like if you’re trying to lose weight but you skip the gym and order a pizza.

When someone is dishonoring your values, it’s a setback.

How do you know when someone is dishonoring your values?

If you’re not feeling good about something someone said or did to you, ask yourself why you’re upset. You may have just had your values dishonored.

Here’s my own personal experience of when I had my own values dishonored:

I run a women’s community called Dynamic Women in Action. When people say they will come and do not show up, I feel my value being dishonored. Negativity starts brewing up inside of me.

Why?

Because commitment, trust and my word are some of my most important values. When those values are dishonored, I have negative thoughts. When this happens, I have to take a step back and self-manage by focusing on where I am honoring my own values.

3. I’m stuck.

Feeling stuck when experiencing obstacles is a surefire way to lose momentum. This is is quickly followed by negativity.

it's hard to stay positive when you're working so hard but aren't seeing any results or progress. Sometimes you have to refocus. Try doing something different. If what you’re doing isn’t working, change it up. Acknowledge that what you’re doing isn't working and take the next step—even if it’s a baby step.

Sometimes when I get stuck, I can feel myself losing momentum. It feels like blocks are being placed in front of me.

Here’s what to do if this happens to you:

• Ask yourself what can be done.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Allow yourself to take a break.
• Do not allow yourself to get overthrown by negativity.
• Never fake positivity.
• When ready, get moving again.
  

Follow these steps and you’ll feel refreshed. And once you get moving again, your motivation will return.

Just remember to never fake positivity. There’s a difference between putting your best self forward and faking it.

Never underestimate how much others can help you. Having people listen to your feelings, thoughts and struggles can help a lot. Make sure you have an outlet so you can be your best self.

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RECAP!
The 3 ways to be more positive and passionate are:
1. Surround yourself with positive people.
2. Honour your values!
3. Keep moving forward, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

These are three of the top ways I stay positive and passionate, but I have a lot more! Learn more in my book, Live Your Passion.

And, If you’re a woman and want to learn how to unleash the potential that exists inside of you, consider signing up for my Dynamic You Program to help give you the clarity you’re working on.

But everyone is different, so I'd love to hear from you!

How do you stay passionate and positive? Dancing to music? Walking your dog?
Let me know!

Diane

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4 crucial questions about your life path
Finding the Right Accountability Partner

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