You may be wondering how you can maintain a positive attitude in today’s busy world. It’s no secret that with the stress of managing jobs, homes, children, spouses and hobbies there isn’t a lot of time to work on yourself. This is why it is important to have effective ways of managing your own stress to keep up with a positive mental attitude. Here are some tips to help you stay focused on the good things in your life!

1.            Think of challenge as a strategic re-directional tool. For example, if you lose a big client at work it may be time to take the time used to keep them happy and find strategic ways of channeling it. One big client’s time consumption may be split up to find 3 new clients. Or, if you have the challenge of an ornery child, let that push you to develop your own patience and understanding. It isn’t necessarily what life hands you that dictates your attitude; it can be managed by how you interpret it.

2.            Start writing down things to be thankful for. You likely have heard about gratitude journaling. This is a great tool to keep the positive things in your life at the forefront. Carve out a few minutes every day when you get to write down what you're truly grateful for. At the end of the month you can review them. What’s nice also is to look at old journals from years past to see how far you really have come!

3.            Listen to your own self-talk. Sometimes people talk themselves into a bad mood with their own mental state. Think of how you talk to yourself—your own inner dialogue. Would you talk to a best friend that way? Would you use the same wording? If not, then why not? You should value yourself enough to give the same positive talk to yourself that you would to a friend. Pay attention to what you're programming your mind to believe!

4.            Don’t listen to negative talk. It’s easy to get dragged down by others who are intent on staying negative. You likely hear it every day at your office, on the radio and even at your own dinner table. Start a new rule that positive talk is what happens in situations that you control. Of course you can’t completely push out negative, but you can seriously cut it down. Plus if people know you're intent on positive, they likely will try to keep up.

5.            Learn how to let go of bad feelings. Let’s say you were disappointed at work due to not getting a promotion. Yes- that can be annoying, but once its over, move on. Learn how to accept the bad feeling, experience the bad feeling and then move beyond the bad feeling. Dwelling on it doesn’t do anyone any good—least of all you!

Maintaining a positive attitude can help you to stay focused. It also can give you the energy needed to keep pushing forward and developing. Learn tools that can help you stay on track and see how much good it does for you and your world.