You may not think so, but regular positive thinking will help you deal with daily challenges of life more smoothly, and will lead the future to be brighter and more promising.

Positive thinking is contagious. People around you detect your mental moods and are affected accordingly. Think about happiness, good health and success and people will more likely appreciate you and want to be around you, because they enjoy the atmosphere that a positive attitude produces.

In order for positive thinking to produce results, you need to develop a positive attitude toward life, expect a successful outcome of whatever you do and take action to do what is necessary to ensure your success.

Effective positive thinking that brings results is much more than just repeating a few positive words or telling yourself that everything is going to be all right. It has to be your primary mental attitude. It is not enough to think positively for a few moments, and then letting fears and lack of belief enter your mind. Some effort and inner work are necessary.

Are you really willing to change the way you think, to make a real inner change? Are you willing to develop a mental power that can positively affect you, your environment and the people around you?

Here are a few actions and suggestions to help you develop the power of positive thinking:

• Stop with your negative attitude and speaking negative words about everything you talk about!
• Use positive words while thinking and talking. Use phrases like, “I can,” “I am able,” “It is possible,” “It can be done,” etc.
• Actively focus on thoughts of success, strength and happiness.
• Try to disregard and ignore negative thoughts. Refuse to think such thoughts and substitute them with constructive good ideas.
• In your conversation use words that suggest feelings and mental images of strength, happiness and success.
• Before starting with any plan or action, visualize clearly in your mind its successful outcome.
• Read at least one page of an inspiring book every day.
• Surround yourself with people who think positively.
• Watch movies that make you happy.
• Sit and walk with your back straight. This will strengthen your confidence and inner strength.
• Walk, swim or get moving in some other physical activity. This helps to develop a more positive attitude.

Think positive and expect favorable results and situations, even if your current situation is not what you want for the long term. In time, your positive mental attitude will help you to position your life situations and change them for the better.

For more information, see the Mayo Clinic’s article, “Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk.”