Change your attitude to change your life!

I took this article from this months Glamour UK magazine and I stuck it up on my wall so I see it every day when I am getting ready. If you're like me where you sometimes feel a little down by particular 'happenings' and the 'not-happenings' in your life that can often tweek a negative attitude in your mind and then make you feel like crap then reading this may help you overcome these feelings and inject a little positivity into your brain. It seems to work for me so why not you too!

How to have an A* attitude

The secret ingredient is REBT, or Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. "It's based on the theory that we're more affected by our view of events than the events themselves," says Avy Joseph. Imagine your outlook is made up of these three elements:

1. Reality check

A healthy attitude is based on accepting you are imperfect, other people are imperfect and the world is imperfect. Want, hope and wish for the best, but accept it might not happen. When working towards your goals, you won't be riddled with anxiety and, if things don't go your way, you'll be disappointed but focused on the solution.

2. Get up and go

We'd all like life to be comfortable and hassle-free, but the truth is, it's not always like that. A healthy attitude is knowing you can tolerate the frustrations and overcome adversity - and being proactive about it.

3. Sense of humour

Don't take life too seriously!

Inside a Happy Mind

What people with a great attitude instinctively think, know or do:

• They adopt an attitude of gratitude. Try it: When you wake up, think of three reasons that you're happy/lucky today: you feel fit and healthy, your boyfriend's great - or just because you've got new shoes!
• They're open to all possibilities. Try it: Take a new class at your gym or something as simple as a new route to work - you might just enjoy it, learn something useful or escape your usual daily pattern and feel inspired.
• They're not too critical. Try it: When you meet someone new, or are asked your opinion, say something positive first. Even if you still need to criticise, your overall attitude will lighten up.
• They're resilient in adversity. Try it: Hope for the best, for example, when you view the flat of your dreams, but accept you may not get it, which is unfortunate but not unbearable. Learn from it (sign up with more agents? Look in a lower price range?) and move on.
• They're kind to themselves. Try it: Celebrate your successes in the same way you would a friend's. If you don't acknowledge and motivate yourself, who will?

4 ways to spot a positive person...

It's not just upbeat talk that sets them apart. According to Joseph, they ooze optimism too. That's because they're comfortable in their own skin, so they have enough energy left over to shine on you. Look closely and you'll see they...

1. Take a real interest in you and what you have to say.

2. Are truly happy for your achievements.

3. Have genuine body language - warm hugs, real smiles and inquisitive eyes.

4. Make you feel at ease because they're not unconsciously giving off anxiety or envy.

... And 7 things they're thinnking

Positive thinking isn't as simple as glossing over negatives. "People with a healthy attitude talk in a powerful, constructive and solution-oriented way," says Joseph. "They look for the pluses and counter the drawbacks with reminders of their resilience." If you could hear their thoughts, they'd sound something like this:

1. "It's a challenge, but I'll cope..."

2. "It's not a good outcome, but it's not the end of the world..."

3. "Never mind my failure, I'll bounce back..."

4. "It's a difficult problem, but I'll find a solution..."

5. "It's not about me, I won't take it personally..."

6. "This is only temporary, I can put it behind me..."

7. "I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and improce..."