We all know that positive people are more interesting, more engaged, more fun to be around and more successful. Typically. And, they get the prettiest girls.

So be positive is what we, er, you, hear. Be positive, be positive, be positive.

The issue is not so much in understanding the ‘be positive’ outlook on life. We all get that. What we don’t get often is how to MAKE ourselves positive when shit is running downhill and that’s where we’re located.

This is a life changing skill, me thinks. How to Make Yourself Positive When You Feel Just the Opposite.

I have a few tips, and feel free to add yours.

The first is tried and true, although it does sound a bit too Zig Ziglar-ish for me too. Fake it til you make it.This does take some acting ability, no doubt, but it works. When you are feeling negative,  simply will yourself to act differently. Feel like hiding? Go out and meet someone new. In a bad mood? Call someone and act like a real sunshine pump over the phone. Even if you feel bad, act like you don’t.  This works.

Next, make a list of everything that is going right for you. Even if it 10 items long…something is working for you. Strive to add to this list.

Realize that you feeling all negative is giving some hidden power over to the thing that just happened. Let’s say you are driving home, and absentmindedly cut someone off in traffic.  They flip you the “bird.” You go instantly from singing along with your IPOD to being out of sorts.  The bird flipper did it to you.  So now hours later, why are you allowing some jerk to still effect you.   Move  on.  Don’t give this kind of power over to someone.

That brings me to the best comment I ever heard from a job applicant. I asked him for  a skill he might have that was NOT on his resume. He said,

“I can make chicken salad out of chickenshit.”

With one comment I knew he would make an outstanding hire.

Lastly, if you can give yourself positive and affirming self talks when you need them, you will do well.  Only you can ‘make’ yourself positive.