Spring Cleaning your mind (Getting Ready for Love)
As the multi-talented Fats Waller, American jazz musician, composer and entertainer sang in his catchy song, “Spring Cleaning (Getting Ready For Love)”,
“I’ll polish the leaves, make them green again; Shake out the trees, change the scene again; Spring cleaning - gettin’ ready for love”.
We need to regularly spring clean our mind of the negative thoughts that do not serve us. You should not have to be battling with your mind to enable positive thoughts to take root. It should be the default position that you should be working towards. You need to cultivate a positive mental attitude. Not just default to the ironically “comforting thoughts” that we have allowed to take root in our minds. We must actively seek to challenge them and sweep them away! Today’s blog is about cultivating a positive mental mindset.
No-one has more to gain than YOU if you feel mentally positive and able to think creatively. This impacts your life and your career. You know I’m a Coach, and I want you to succeed! So if we think of yourself as CEO of “Yourself Incorporated”, you want to have employees (YOU) that are engaged and motivated in helping you to keep the company bottom line healthy. Yep, I am not going to lie and tell you it’s easy to work on removing entrenched negative thoughts or beliefs that you hold about yourself. Instead I am going to get real with you, it takes time and commitment, days, weeks, months and years! This is not an easy thing to work on. However should you choose to take up the challenge, I guarantee you that you will feel better and your bottom line will increase. Simply because when you are in a positive mental state you are more receptive to the great many opportunities that there are out there for you.
Let me break it down! Here’s what I do know about dealing with the vicious negative thoughts and beliefs that we hold about ourselves, it’s complicated. I get it! It’s not just about you, it’s about your family, your associates, your friends and the company that you keep. Wow, did she just go there?! Oh yes she did. Did she just imply that it might be that my “friends” are holding me back and I’m just doing what they do and keeping on this negative vibe because it’s easier and I fit it, plus it’s quite comforting. Cool, yes, she did! So I ask you this, how has that been working out for you? Have you been able to go for that promotion, change careers or save for that deposit for a flat (apartment)?
My own personal journey towards having a positive mental mindset is advanced, however it still takes practice. There are some days when I defo fall off the wagon! How have I worked to instil a more positive mental attitude? I have worked at finding daily routines that help me to have a positive mental mindset. These include positive affirmations and having a gratitude journal. Also learning to laugh at myself and find joy in life. I dare you to laugh more! You’ll feel better.
So today I am going to give you 4 tips on cultivating a positive mental mindset for your life and your career.
1 Regularly Spring Clean your Mind!
As it might sound! Find a frequency that works for you and actively reflect on the kinds of thoughts that you have on a regular basis. If they are negative pick up the broom and clear them out!
2 Find the tools to do your own personal Spring Clean
You need to find the right tools that will enable you to sweep away the negative thoughts and attitudes that you hold. This can range from seeing a therapist. Yes, I did say that and what! Some of you may have deep seated issues that you need to resolve before you can sweep away the cobwebs of negativity. Google and find a self help book that works for you. I am a personal fan of Susan Jeffers, this is my go to book, “Feel the fear and do it anyway”.
3 Get feedback on your attitude
We all know that looking at ourselves is tough! So ask for feedback. Ask 3 friends about what they think about your attitude. See what they say. Caveat be mindful that you may only hang out with quite negative people! So reflect on what is said, and ask is this really true? Is this a fact? Remember facts are friends!
4 Be Kind to yourself
And of course as always be kind to yourself. This process of a mental spring clean is no joke!