Positivity Checklist

If your year is starting off a bit wobbly and you could do with a check-in on a checklist that will keep you in an optimistic, positive frame of mind, read on. Remember the story you tell to and about yourself is the one that will show up in your life.

 20 Traits of Positive People 

You know a highly positive person when you see one. They seem indefatigable in the face of a challenge and possess an excess of great energy…but what exactly are the character traits that help them live that way?

1. Purpose 

Highly positive people are able to comprehend and internalize the bigger picture. They see how the steps they are taking fit into the whole, and therefore don’t start feeling like the smaller components of the journey are meaningless.

2. Optimism 

Positive people derive energy from the happy outcome they envision. Where they are headed is always at the forefront of their thinking. It motivates them.

3. Self-Esteem 

It’s hard to do anything when you don’t feel like you can do it. But positive people know their strengths, and they believe in themselves. Believe in yourself. Tell yourself you can do it, be it, have it. Feed and fuel your self confidence on a daily basis.

4. Bravery 

Positive people delight in taking on new challenges, and they don’t back down from risk. They’re not afraid to take chances.

5. Energy 

Positive people cultivate the requisite energy—mental, physical, or emotional—to move forward with their plans no matter the challenges along the way.

6. Persistence

People with high levels of positivity don’t just give up when the going gets tough. They maintain their stand and even if they falter, they get up, dust themselves off and try again. They have a ‘never give up’ attitude. They know there will always be a way forward.

7. Perspective 

Highly positive people don’t sweat the small stuff. They know how to sort through life’s myriad concerns and ignore the little things that could pull them off course.

8. Reflective 

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson, an old adage goes, and positive people get that. While bravery, energy, and persistence are some of their best qualities, that doesn’t mean they make stupid choices. Positive people reflect on the process and move forward with intelligence and strategy.

9. Humility 

Positive people also have perspective on their own strengths and weaknesses. An arrogant person will quickly run up against a wall again and again as opposing egos clash with their quest. By contrast, a humble person will have an easier time carrying out their plan, taking feedback, and adjusting course as necessary. They’re not offended—their eyes are on the prize, and they’ll take the help they need to get there.

10. Celebration

Positive people enjoy success and they celebrate it. It’s about appreciating what they have achieved and how far they have come.

11. Stay the Course

Positivity can sometimes slip into the category of finding the next high. Instead of bouncing from goal to goal, make sure you finish what you start before moving on to something else. Master or finish one thing before starting others. Tick off your To Do List.

12. Know Yourself 

When you try to accomplish goals that other people set for you, your positivity can wane. Take a look at your goals and make sure they’re goals you have for yourself, not goals that other people want you to achieve. If they’re not, you may want to set them aside and reassess where you’re going. It’s perfectly valid to update your goals and let some things go if you choose to. It shows growth on your part.

13. Visualize 

Picturing the end result of your goal is essential practice in continuing your commitment to succeed. The positive energy you build around that imagery will affect you at a subconscious level, while the mental affirmation that you can achieve it will do loads for your self confidence, which will also help you stay the course.

14. Let go of things beyond your control 

When it comes to positivity, it can be easy to give up if things don’t go according to plan. Learn to let go of things beyond your control, otherwise they’ll reduce your motivation to succeed. The control aspect happens behind the scenes anyway.

15. Get organized 

If you want to stay positive, you may need to work a little bit to keep the motivation alive. Put your goals on the calendar and make an action plan. Work on it every day. Constantly reinforce and remind yourself what you are all about. Lots of good self talk.

16.  Let go of the past

Remember the good things and the lessons learnt – even though they may have been tough times. Cherry pick from your past and leave the rest be. Tell yourself you are a ‘Now’ person.

17. Define your core values 

Core values encapsulated in a mission statement will guide you through times good and bad by helping you find direction and bringing you through challenging times. This concept is not just for business. Create your own mission statement. It’s the ultimate affirmation. It’s great to begin such a statement with the words “I Am…”

18. Surround yourself with like minded people

The people around you play a big role in your success. Choose who you share with and who you spend your time and energy with. Seek out like-minded visionaries. Get inspiration from those in a similar space who also have a positive vision for the future. Cut negative people loose. You don’t need them. You can still send them love, but don’t take them on your journey with you.

19. Know what you want and who you are 

Desire is the motivating force behind almost anything. Choose positivity with all the passion and determination of choosing a mate for life. Decide you are a positive person. Choose to be. Identify yourself as such and you will create it in reality.

20. Flip Your Switch

All of us are sometimes subject to feeling low, to doubt and discouragement. This is where the real test of your self management is. You must take charge of our state at this point and do whatever you need to do to turn your thinking from negative to positive. Find your own switch and use it. Maybe it’s to watch a funny or upbeat movie. It may be music. It may be reading your affirmations or talking with someone encouraging. It may be looking at what you want pictorially or reading a piece in a book that inspires and encourages you. (That always works for me). Find your happy switch or switches and use them determinedly when you need to change your state and find your positive place.

Since I put it together this checklist some time ago I have gotten really serious about Flip The Switch and just how that can be achieved to change our lives for good. May your positivity grow and flourish and take you exactly where you want to go.