Positive Thinking Day

10 ways to create a positive day

1. Use affirmations - Read and listen to affirmations so that you can begin to change your self-talk.

2. Intention - Set your intention each morning to have a positive day! Remember you choose your attitude!

3. Mindfulness - Keep your attention in the present moment.

4. Link to think -Pick something you do frequently (perhaps making a phone call) and let that be a reminder to think a positive thought.

5. Gratitude - Develop an attitude of gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal.

6. Inspiration - Read and watch inspirational and motivational material to lift your mood.

7. Positive people - Surround yourself with positive people. They will help you stay focused on the positive.

8. Kindness - Be kind to yourself and those around you.

9. Applied faith - Trust that every situation has the seeds for growth and opportunity.

10. Smile - Smile when you see others. Smile when you are talking on the phone. A smile is contagious.

Affirmations and your brain

Your thoughts directly impact your mood, attitude, and behavior. Negative thoughts tend to create bad moods, bad attitudes, and unsuccessful behaviors. On the other hand, positive thoughts lead to positive actions and positive actions lead to positive outcomes. This is why it is important to keep your thoughts positive and focused on the things you want in life. The repetition of positive thoughts – or affirmations – will literally change your brain and help you create the life you want.

Affirmations are short positive statements that help re-pattern your self-talk and rewire your brain. Be sure to create your affirmations in the present tense and clearly state what you want. For example, “I succeed in all I do.” The key to successful use of affirmations is repetition. By repeating these positive thoughts over and over, you are rewiring your brain. Brain cells that fire together wire together. Using affirmations will help you literally create new neural pathways in your brain (neural nets). This is like creating a new groove on a record or wearing a path in the grass. It takes some time - and repetition - to create these new neural nets, but with patience you will rewire your brain for success.

As you stay focused on the new positive thoughts, the old negative neural nets will wither away and the positive neural nets will strengthen. This will make it easier for you to stay positive and take the necessary positive steps to reach your goals.

Beyond Positive Thinking

I am encouraging everyone I know to go BEYOND Positive Thinking in 2008. Why? Positive thinking is merely the beginning of the journey, not the final destination. Instead, positive thinking should be understood as the foundation for something greater: Positive Action!

All Dreams, Goals, and Projects, both grand and small, are accomplished first by conceiving, then through achieving. As a result, the end-game for positive thinking involves getting one's hands dirty.

My mantra for PTD 2008 is small but powerful: THINK IT. DO IT. 

Use PTD to Review Your Style

Folk wisdom has suggested that some individuals always see ‘blue skies’ while other envision ‘dark clouds’ more often than not. While a few recent scientific studies have supported the idea that some people are more naturally positive thinkers, everyone should be able to improve their ability at this useful skill. Professor Martin Seligman, a leading researcher in the field of Positive Psychology, has proposed that Explanatory Style greatly impacts the way an individual interprets problems.

Seligman suggests that there are three general attributions: Personal, Pervasive, and Permanent. For example, if a pessimist got a ticket for speeding, they might view this one episode as a major failure:

• Personal: I’m stupid; I’m not good at driving. Why do I always go too fast?
• Pervasive: I’m horrible at all aspects of driving. I’m bad at parking and signaling too.
• Permanent: I’ll always fail to obey the speed limit and I will problem lose my license one day, perhaps forever.

A more optimistic view would include the following:

• Not Personal: The speed limit sign was not well posted and anyone could have made this simple mistake of going 10 miles over.
• Not Pervasive: I am a safe, careful driver in most situations. Perhaps I did make big mistake this time; however, it does not impact other parts of my life.   
• Not Permanent: This is my first ticket and I can make sure I that I am more careful about going slower in the future.

PTD is an excellent time to do a short self-audit and review your own explanatory style for a variety of personal and professional domains within your life. Then work to avoid the three Ps, if needed.

No stinkin’ thinkin’ challenge

We all have thousands and thousands of thoughts everyday. Have you ever noticed how many of those thoughts are negative? In honor of Positive Thinking Day, I challenge you to go for 24 hours without a negative thought.

Believe me, this is much harder than it sounds. It will require serious effort and honest commitment. To begin, pick a day and time to start the challenge. Use whatever tools you think will help you - affirmations, books, inspirational photos, etc. Once you start, you need to be on the lookout for any negative thoughts. If you have one, then counter it with a positive thought. Then you will need to reset the clock and start again. It may take you many attempts before you are able to go one whole hour without a negative thought. If or when you successfully complete one hour, you could up the ante and use the same process to go for 2 hours… then maybe a day, and so on.

Give it a try… the only thing you have to lose is your stinkin’ thinking.’ Remember that this challenge can be very difficult. If you have trouble with one hour, try a smaller time frame and then build from there. Keep at it, even if it takes a lifetime. After all, you will be making progress and that’s what counts. The fewer negative thoughts you have each day the happier and more successful you will be.

Let’s get as many people to do this as possible. Ask your family and friends to join you in this challenge. Share your stories and experiences here so that you can gain support and feedback from others.

The Most Positive Person Award goes to...

I now have the pleasure of announcing the winner of the Most Positive Person Contest.  Positive people change the world around them to be more positive.  We hope that by highlighting these wonderfully positive people we can add some positive vibes to your life as well.

The prize package for the Grand Prize winner is an iPod Nano loaded with ipopins (donated by www.ipopin.com), one month coaching package from Possibility Coaching and Consulting (worth $599), and a fun and beautiful Bubble Wish Wand!

Drum roll please...

The Most Positive Person is... Mr. Venu K.  Venu was nominated by his wife.

Here is what Venu's wife had to say:

He had a severe bout of Rhumatoid Arthritis at the age of 29 when he had an excellent job and everything else was going fine.  The attack left him bedridden for almost 3 years.No one in the family or even Doctors had any hopes of him leading a normal life again.  But he kept on thinking positive.  Nothing less than a normal life was acceptable to him.  Gradually his mind started winning over the disease. Then the question of employment came up and he Chose to become a Chartered Accountant and practice on his own.  It almost took five years of hard work,determination and perseverance to establish the business and now it is generating a decent income.  The toil of all these years had taken its toll on the hip joint which was damaged.  Then he had to undergo a hip replacement surgery which cost a fortune. His other hip is also damaged yet he bears the pain and goes about his work in the most positive way for the past one year. I often wonder from where he gets the strength to bear the pain and still smile and keep a positive attitude. I have never seen him complain or curse fate in the past five years.

He has also started publishing his blog at the following address where he keeps posting his ideas and positive thoughts. ideaspace-venu.blogspot.com

Congratulations, !  Thank you for helping to make the world more positive!  Stay positive!

1st runner up in the Most Positive Person Contest

Are you ready to learn who is the 1st runner up in the 2008 Most Positive Person Contest?  Here we go... The prize package for the 1st runner up is 4 ipopin one-minute affirmation CD's, an Affirmawrap, and a beautiful and fun Bubble Wish Wand. 

Drum roll please...

The 1st runner up for the 2008 Most Positive Person Contest is... Denise J. Hart.  Denise nominated herself and is a 5 year breast cancer survivor.

Here is a bit of what Denise wrote in her nomination:

I am a 5 year breast cancer survivor who maintains a positive upbeat outlook. I profoundly believe that my thouhts not only affect my wellbeing, but the whole universe. I have been this way my entire life. People reach out to me for words of support and inspiration and an old boyfriend of mine even dubbed me "the Happiest person he's ever met!" I belive that what I affirm with positive focused honest thought can and will happen. I even created a positive message tshirt company to reflect my beliefs and to help women to live a more inspired and courageous life www.wordstolivebytees.com.

Congratulations, Denise!  Thank you for helping to make the world more positive!  Stay positive!

2nd runner up in the Most Positive Person Contest

Now it is time to reveal the 2nd runner up in the 2008 Most Positive Person Contest.  The prize package for the third runner up is 4 ipopin one-minute affirmation CD's and a beautiful and fun Bubble Wish Wand. 

Drum roll please...

The 2nd runner up for the 2008 Most Positive Person Contest is... Sanjay Talreja.  Bharati Talreja nominated her husband, Sanjay.

Here is a little of what Bharati wrote about her husband:

I nominate my husband Sanjay Talreja as the most positive thinking person in the world I have ever seen. He is 34 years of age and works as an Associate Vice President with India Infoline Ltd. He is never distraught or regretful. He is always positive about life. His day begins with smiles and ends with smiles despite of any unpleasant situations he has to go through throughout the day. He always has a reason to feel positive about something.  He keeps on improving himself and his skills day by day. He never says ill of anyone. He is full of forgiveness.

Congratulations, Sanjay Talreja!  Thank you for helping to make the world more positive!  Stay positive!

3rd runner up in the Most Positive Person Contest 08

Ok... so today we start revealing the runners up and the winner of the Most Positive Person Contest.  I think this is very exciting.  We have had nominations from all over the world!  We will start with the third runner up.  The prize package for the third runner up is 4 ipopin one-minute affirmation CD's. 

Drum roll please...

The third runner up for the 2008 Most Positive Person Contest is... Janice Lee Bowman.  Aimee Thomas-Bowman nominated her aunt.

Here is a little of what Aimee said about her Aunt Janice:

My Aunt Janice (Janice Lee Bowman) is the most positive person in the WORLD. She has been through so much with her mother and sister being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and her niece was recently diagnosed with a mental illness and yet she continues to stay positive through all of it. She is always smiling, nothing but positive words come out of her. My aunt has been through so much and continues to look at the positive side of everything. My aunt deserves this because she absolutely is the most positive person there is.

Congratulations, Janice!  Thank you for helping to make the world more positive!  Stay positive!

Affirmations can help you stay positive

Positive affirmations are a perfect way to help you develop positive thinking patterns.  The point of of using affirmations, is to change your negative patterns of thinking.  It is like creating a new pathway in your brain.  It is re-wiring your brain for success.  Repetition is the key when using affirmations.  The goal is to replace the negative self-talk with new positive self-talk.  It is like recruiting and strengthening a new muscle.  Just as it would take time to build up strength in this new muscle and it takes time to re-pattern your thoughts.

ipopin one-minute affirmations make this process fun and easy for everyone.  Our customers (at www.ipopin.com) agree that ipopins help them keep a more positive mindset.  In honor of PTD, ipopin.com will donate 30% of the sales (between now and September 14, 2008) to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.  We think this is a good deal - you get the very cool and transformational ipopin one-minute affirmations AND you will be helping to find a cure for spinal cord injury! 

Remember we are giving you the following ipopin affirmation to celebrate PTD - I choose to create a great day.

Check out this post for more specific information about affirmations.  You can also go to Think Positive! Blog to read more about affirmations. 

Today is Positive Thinking Day 08!

Happy Positive Thinking Day!!

We truly do believe that if we each make a commitment to be consistently positive today, we can make a difference in this world.  While it is important to be positive every day, this day marks a specific time for each of us to put extra effort into being positive.  This extra positive energy will help make the world a better place.

Positivity is contagious... really!  So, as you make the commitment today to be positive and to hold positive thoughts you will influence those around you.  That's how we change the world... we start with ourselves!  When you are focused on the positive then there will be a ripple effect that spreads out from you.  You can make a difference!  Yes, I am talking to you - each one of you.   So... come on, let's set out today to change the world... one thought at a time!

Please join us today in using the following affirmation throughout the day - I choose to create a great day (clickable link will take you to our ipopin one-minute audio version of this affirmation). 

Happy Positive Thinking Day!!

We truly do believe that if we each make a commitment to be consistently positive today, we can make a difference in this world.  While it is important to be positive every day, this day marks a specific time for each of us to put extra effort into being positive.  This extra positive energy will help make the world a better place.

Positivity is contagious... really!  So, as you make the commitment today to be positive and to hold positive thoughts you will influence those around you.  That's how we change the world... we start with ourselves!  When you are focused on the positive then there will be a ripple effect that spreads out from you.  You can make a difference!  Yes, I am talking to you - each one of you.   So... come on, let's set out today to change the world... one thought at a time!

Please join us today in using the following affirmation throughout the day - I choose to create a great day (clickable link will take you to our ipopin one-minute audio version of this affirmation). 

Most Positive Person Contest - update

Something strange is going on... we have not received as many nominations for the Most Positive Person as we expected.  For this reason, I am extending the deadline for nominations to September 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm (EDT).

What does this mean to you?  Well, at this point your nominee would still have pretty good odds for winning the Grand Prize Package - including the newest version of the iPod Nano loaded with ipopins (donated by www.ipopin.com), one month coaching package from Possibility Coaching and Consulting (worth $599), and a fun and beatiful Bubble Wish Wand!

I know it takes time to send in your nomination, but think how good it would feel to give back to a special person in your life - a person who has lifted your spirits at some time because of their positive thinking and positive attitude.

Remember that if you do something kind for someone else, everyone benefits.  Really!  You, the recipient, and those who observe the kind act will all get a boost in physical and emotional well-being.

So, let's get some good feelings flowing... send in your nominations to me.

If Ruben can do this... we can raise some money!

Please help us support the Reeve Foundation by making a purchase at www.ipopin.com between Septemer 6 - 14, 2008 - 30% of your purchase will go to the Reeve Founation.  You get some cool audio affirmations to help you stay positive AND you will be helping find a cure for spinal cord injury!

Remember it feels good to do good!

Yet another reason to help the Reeve Foundation

As you probably know by now, one big part of Positive Thinking Day is to raise money for Reeve Foundation.  This post is another of the inspirational videos from the Reeve Foundation.

Before we go to the video I wanted to share excerpt from Dr. Nicole Sundene's great Kitchen Table Medicine blog.  She is one smart cookie and has a fabulous blog full of wonderful information.  I appreciate her help in spreading the word about PTD and the Reeve Foundation.

Spinal cord injury research funded by the Reeve Foundation is imperative to more than just sufferers of traumatic injuries, it will likely be beneficial for those disabled by Multiple Sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis). The accessory cells that hold bundles of nerve fibers together are irreparably damaged from both injury and autoimmune disease, and until scientists learn how to regrow these tissues we will not have a likely cure for spinal cord injury and the disabilities that result from MS and ALS. Stem cell research is vital for regrowing these tissues.

Without the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation, advanced research on these developments would not be possible.    - Dr. Nicole Sundene.

Now yet another powerful video from the Reeve Foundation.

If you want to help people like Lyena, please help us support the Reeve Foundation.  Make a purchase between now and PTD (9/1-/08- 9/13/08) at www.ipopin.com and 30% of your money will go to the Reeve Foundation to help make a difference in the lives of people who have suffered spinal cord injury and

Banish your doubt

Banish your doubt How many times have you been stopped in your tracks by self-doubt? How often do you doubt yourself and your abilities? For many people self-doubt is a serious problem – a barrier to success. Self-doubt can paralyze you and keep you from moving toward your dreams. Research has shown that chronic self-doubt can lead to low self-esteem, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. If you suffer from self-doubt, you are not alone. It is a very common problem that keeps people from achieving their fullest potential.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to banish the doubt and cultivate confidence in yourself and your abilities. The first thing is to realize that self-doubt is simply unproductive thoughts coming from your ego self. Your essential spirit (aka core self, higher self) does not entertain self-doubt. Your essential spirit only recognizes your potential, your unique gifts, and your talents. When you become aware of thoughts of doubt, try saying no. Do not allow yourself to continue wallowing in these thoughts. Shift your attention to your essential spirit and your inner potential. This is difficult at first, but with time and practice you will be able to stop self-doubt, rather than allowing self-doubt to stop you.

After you have stopped the thoughts of doubt it is important to replace this old self-talk with new more positive and affirming self-talk. Create some affirmations that you can repeat to keep your thoughts positive. You might try something like – I can do anything I set my mind to or I believe in my abilities and trust myself. As you lose the self-doubt you will find that you are able to move toward your dreams with confidence and personal power.

Smile... it's contagious

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~ Mother Teresa

Have you smiled today? Put on a smile right now. Really, as you are reading this post, start smiling. Let the smile grow to a great big happy smile. Imagine the smile energy flowing through your body. Let it wash away any stress and tension. How do you feel now? Did you notice a shift in your mood?

Smiling is such a simple thing. It is easy to do and it can make a positive difference in your life. You can lift your mood and spirits simply by smiling. Research shows that our facial expressions influence our mood. In other words, if you make an angry face, your body begins to exhibit changes associated with anger. Smiling elicits happy feelings. Not only does smiling change your mood, but it can influence others as well. Think about it... when you smile at someone, they often smile back. So you are spreading the good feelings and good mood.

Try this experiment... smile at everyone you see today. Even if you are not in a good mood, try smiling at others. You will likely lift your mood and brighten the day for others too! If you notice a co-worker or friend is in a bad mood, ask them to try smiling. Start all of your interactions with others with a nice big friendly smile. Notice how this influences your day. Smiles are contagious - start spreading it around today! Share your experiences here by leaving a comment.

Let's raise some seriouos money to help cure spinal cord injury!

Here is another video in our series from the Reeve Foundation.  You can see how much the research and therapies funded by the Reeve Foundation are helping people with paralysis. 

Please help us support the Reeve Foundation by making a purchase at www.ipopin.com between Septemer 6 - 14, 2008 - 30% of your purchase will go to the Reeve Founation.

Remember it feels good to do good!

Positive Thinking Day: deadlines for participation

I want to appologize for any confusion I have caused... I have some inconsistent postings of the deadlines for supporting the Positive Thinking Day events (PTD).  I hope this clears up any confustion! 

Here are the official deadlines!

First - When you make a purchase at www.ipopin.com between September 6-14, 2008, 30% your purchase price will be donated to the Reeve Foundation! 

Second - Share a tip for staying positive by emailing me or commenting on this site by September 13, 2008

Third - Help us spread the word by adding the PTD logo link on your website AND mention PTD in a post between September 1-13, 2008

Fourth - I am extending the deadline for the Positive Person Contest - new deadline for submissions is September 12, 2008!  So keep 'em coming, we like to read the nominations!

Reeve Foundation - Video

There are 2 ways you can help:

1) Make a purchase at www.ipopin.com between 9/7/08 - 9/14/08 in honor of Daryl and others who have sustained a spinal cord injury - 30% of the proceeds will go directly to the Reeve Foundation. Pretty sweet - you get cool affirmations AND get to help a very worthy cause.

2) Please help us spread the word about this event by posting on your blog and telling at least 5 people you know about Positive Thinking Day and our Most Positive Person Contest. (you can also put the logo link on your blog to become an official PTD supporter and earn a chance to win prizes).

It feels good to do good!

Most Positive Person Contest - nominations needed by Sept 12, 2008

Who's the Most Positive Person you know? 

Do you know someone that you that is always positive, always upbeat, always looking at the bright side of life?  Be sure to nominate that person for the Most Positive Person Contest!

To nominate your choice, send an email with details.  Each person who nominates someone will receive a special gift from ipopin.com. 

Be sure to put Most Positive Person in the subject line. Include the name of the person you are nominating AND the reason you are nominating them for the most positive person (tell us about your nominee in 350 words or less). If possible, please include a photo (jpeg format) of the person you are nominating so we can use it on this website.

Deadline for submissions is September 8, 2008 September 12, 2008... so get your nominations in soon!

The Most Positive Person will receive the grand prize package - including an iPod Nano loaded with ipopins (donated by www.ipopin.com), one month coaching package from Possibility Coaching and Consulting (worth $599), and a fun and beautiful Bubble Wish Wand!

The first runner up will receive 4 ipopin CD's, a Bubble Wish Wand, and an Affirmawrap.  The 2nd runner up will receive prizes 4 ipopin CD's and a Bubble Wish Wand.  The 3rd runner up will receive 4 ipopin CD's.

Make room for the positive by Curt Rosengren (Guest Writer)

When it comes to positive thinking, I’m not a big fan of the “sweep-the-shit-under-the-rug” school of thought. Let’s face it, sometimes life gets bumpy. Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes things happen that just plain suck.

For me, maintaining a positive focus is less about pretending that the bad stuff doesn’t exist, and more about making sure I acknowledge that it’s only one slice of the pie when it happens.

Somehow when things go sideways, it’s easy to let the negative swell up to monumental proportions, minimizing and even obscuring whatever positive there is in our lives. We end up with a case of the sure-buts. “SURE this good thing is happening, BUT look at this crappy part of my life…” And with that, our mind is off to the races, focusing almost exclusively on what’s wrong.

Somehow, when we experience a negative, it can be hard to acknowledge that the positive has any importance. It’s like we have to have it black or white, and can’t let them both exist at once.

But the reality is that both positive and negative *can* exist simultaneously. I can have a part of my life that is really stressing me out, and that doesn’t diminish another part that I can really be grateful for and happy about. The only thing that diminishes that positive part is my lack of attention to it.

So next time you find yourself supersizing your negatives and neglecting your positives, stop and do a reality check. What’s positive in your life? What can you be thankful for? What do you enjoy? What is working well?

Then think of it as a pie chart, where all those things, plus the negative, add up to 100% of the pie. Is the negative *really* taking up 98.7% of the pie, or are you exaggerating? (Hint: You’re probably exaggerating.) The more you can keep the proportion of the negative in perspective, the easier it is to fully appreciate the positive.

Guest post written by Curt Rosengren - Passion Catalyst (tm) - web: http://www.passioncatalyst.com