Shifting one’s mindset is one of the most important first steps in learning how to find your YES! Once you start to shift your mindset, you can begin to reframe your negative thoughts to ones that are more positive, and you will have an easier time developing resiliency skills and the ability to hope, cope, and deal.
It is not your initial reaction that matters, it is what you do afterwards.
But it’s important to know that even with a YES!-filled mindset you will still experience NOs. The NOs can be both internal and external. Maybe you are overloaded with so many NOs in such a short period of time that you can’t possibly say YES! Maybe you are ready to yell a big loud YES! and then you experience a health crisis. With a positive mindset you will be better able to respond even if it takes a little bit to rebound.
When I am experiencing a lot of NOs and am having difficulty shifting my mindset in that moment, I stop and evaluate my situation. “Ok- this is happening and it stinks- what can I possibly do that can create forward thinking and action?” It is not your initial reaction that truly matters, it is what you do afterwards that can really have a lasting impact.
How can you help pull yourself out of the quicksand of NOs?
- Reach out to your friends, family, and/or professionals for support, encouragement, and help.
- Look for sources of inspiration in music, books, poems, quotes, and other works of art.
- Throw yourself a dance party!
- Make a list of all the good things that are happening right now, no matter how small they are—anything that feels like a YES! (or even a whisper of a yeah!)
- Schedule some “me” time!
*And remember that nothing lasts forever! Struggles are temporary, a YES! mindset can stay with you for your whole life.