The Foundation of Positive Thinking: ​5 Steps to Creating Positive Thought Chains by Diana Cole

To keep feeling better in life, we need to have an internal commitment to choosing better thoughts. Starting with one positive thought leads to a positive inner dialogue, and that ultimately leads to feeling good. Positive thoughts bring good feelings. The key is conjuring enough positive thoughts consistently – letting one lead into another to form positive thought chains – to sustain a better feeling.

Here are five steps to creating positive thought chains. The purpose of this exercise is to help you learn to stay in positive thought for as long as possible.

1. Write Down 5 Aspects of Your Life That are Positive

Keep it simple. For example:

• I am a good listener.
• I am a good mom.
• I appreciate my job.
• I am good at staying fit.
• I love my dog.

2. Go to a Place Where You Can Be Alone and Quiet

Sit in your private space, as free of outside noise as possible. Close your eyes and clear your mind by focusing on your breathing – in through the nose, out through the nose.

When you notice that you feel calm, open your eyes and say out loud the five positive points you wrote earlier. Repeat until you start to feel a momentum building – until you feel like you are ready to attach more positive thoughts.

3. Start to Notice Your Surroundings and Say Out Loud What You Perceive As Positive

Continue to call everything out that you like, everything that looks good, everything that feels good. Move from one positive aspect to the next, slowly and fully absorbing each point, each thought. For example:

• I like the feel of my comforter under my hands.
• I like the light coming through the window.
• I love that I can see trees outside my window.
• The sun feels warm on my skin.
• The room smells fresh.
• I am blessed to have a home here.
• I hear quiet in the house.
• I feel at peace in this moment.
• I feel appreciation for where I am.
• I feel happy about what I have created.

4. Stay in This Place of Positivity Where You're Only Thinking Positive Thoughts for As Long As Possible

If a negative thought creeps in, start again. Your goal is to hold positive thought for at least three minutes. For the most transformative change, work up to 10 minutes daily.

5. Notice How You Feel After Staying in That Positive Thought Space As Long As Possible

Observe your renewed sense of happiness, and be proud of yourself!

I became so happy I almost wanted to cry. I was able to become present in my reality and feel good, feel appreciation, feel happy. I found myself smiling as I continued from one thought to the next.

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