Staying positive during tough times

Depressed over the spiraling stock market? Feeling low over your unpaid debt? Blunt over the worsening economy? Is the glass half empty of half full? If you answered YES to all these questions then indeed you are a wet blanket. A pessimist as Sigmund Freud puts it.

However, will it help if we stay gloomy over ongoing circumstances? Pessimism is the most serious cause for the global economic tsunami, said Chinese entrepreneur David Tang.

Researchers from the Women’s Health Initiative found out that optimists—those who expect good things, not bad things will happen—were 30% less likely to die of heart disease than pessimists. In short, being optimistic leads to better health.

But I have to admit, staying optimistic right now seems very difficult right now. The pessimism comes as a bit of follow through from last week's downturn, which was largely rooted in continued concerns regarding the financial sector. Stocks are struggling. The car industry is struggling. Housing, employment, export…and the list may go on and on.

Even the President is becoming a wet blanket. "The economy's performance in the last quarter of 2008 was the worst in over 25 years. And frankly the first quarter of this year holds out little promise for better returns," President Barack Obama said in a speech. But he lightened up a bit saying that even though “the stock market is now so low, now might, perhaps, if you take a long term view, present a good buying opportunity.”

And the media seem to be spreading the negativity all the more. They are making things seem worse than they are. The media never focuses on how full the glass is, but how empty. To the media, good news is not news.

So how do we stay optimistic despite all the surrounding negativity? Margo Chevers, a motivational speaker and trainer has a few tips on staying positive.

• It is important that you deliberately put positive thoughts into your head. First thing in the morning is best.
• Have you ever noticed that those who are the boldest usually get more of what they want in life? Sure, you’ll be rejected, but you’ll also up your odds of getting what you want.
• People who always talk negatively will soon drag you down. Surround yourself with positive people, the ones who see possibilities, not impossibilities.
• Nothing feels as good as helping another person. Reach out and help others. Volunteer, call someone you know who needs help, just open the door for someone—any of these will make you feel good about yourself.
• Keep a journal of all the positive things that happen to you during the day. On those days when we feel down, a review of all the positive things that have happened is good for a quick attitude boost.

There, hopefully, those tips can make us see that the glass is never half empty but always half full.

Forex Trading Videos