7- Steps to developing a Positive Mindset for Life Here are some proven tools that you can apply and practice on a daily basis to begin developing a positive mindset.
First you need to begin by allocating time for it in your life as if it were a part of your routine such as brushing your teeth.
Journaling - Two Parts Part one: Begin with a gratitude journal.
To do this, you can either use a notebook and pen, lap top, iPhone (smart phone) or iPad.
Start with the date.
Then either write the following instruction down and begin your list, or just go ahead and begin your list.
List at least 5 things for which you are grateful for right now.
"I am grateful for...
" Part two: Checking in with how you feel.
This next part of developing a positive mindset is to record how you feel throughout the day.
Set a reminder for yourself for the following times:

• Morning
• Mid Morning
• Lunchtime
• Mid Afternoon
• Evening
• Late evening

Ask yourself how you feel and write down one emotion or feeling (of course it can be more!).
(Hint: Make a list of emotions on a small piece of paper and keep it in your wallet or purse.
This will help you to easily identify you feelings and emotions quickly if this is not something you are used to.
)

• Happy
• Joyful
• Tired
• Sad
• Melancholy
• Excited
• Worried
• Nervous
• Anxious

Worry Time Positive thinking is not about a land of pretence and fake smiles.
Part of developing a positive mind set is to also acknowledge the things that worry us.
Things like issues that come up with studies, exams, relationships, arguments, changes at home or at school, the future and even the past.
It is important to not be in denial otherwise we might find ourselves in situations that we could have prevented by allocating "worry time" in our day.
And, the benefit is that if we can be proactive about issues that come up in a calm manner, we end up making better decisions; better judgements and come up with better ideas and solutions than if we are feeling emotional and right in the middle of it all, all day long.
By allocating the fixed amount of time, such as 15 minutes, we allow ourselves to be free from stewing over those things all day long.
This then allows us to enjoy all the rest of the good moments that occur throughout the day.
To do this:

1. Make a list of the things that are worrying you.
   
2. Allocate and spend 15 minutes making a list of your worries and coming up with possible solutions.
   

Many problems cannot be solved all at once, so don't worry that you haven't solved them in the time allocated.
But, by spending just 15 minutes a day and really focussing on coming up with solutions, you are putting your time and energy to much better use, than by worrying all day long.
Inch by inch you're getting closer and closer to the solution.
You get back in charge again.
Problem solving steps:

1. Look for the cause of the problem
2. Brainstorm possible solutions (free flow of ideas)
3. Choose the best solution
4. Plan to or implement the solution

Worry time tips:

• Keep it separate from your gratitude journal, so just create another word document or note or if you have a notebook, write it in another one or at least in the back of your gratitude journal
• In the day if we recognise an existing problem that is worrying us and cannot solve it right then and there,allocate it to worry time.
  
• If it is a new problem, make a note and again, if you cannot deal with it then and there, allocate it to worry time.
  
• If we come up with an idea to solve the worry in the day, also make a note and delegate this to your worry time slot.
  
• After you have spent your 15 minutes of worry time, open your gratitude journal and read over the things you have written.
  You can repeat these in your mind like a personal mantra.
  What this is doing, is blocking out all thought except for the thoughts of the things we are happy about.
  

NB.
Some problems will not be solvable.
In the moment you realise the problem cannot be solved, is the moment they become someone else's problem and can be taken off your list! Meditation Meditation, mentioned before, is most effective and beneficial when it's done as often as possible.
Daily practice (is the key!).
Meditation is a mental discipline and helps us to become more conscious.
There are different types of meditations that have different outcomes and we can incorporate positive thoughts into a meditation session using mantras.
Mantras are true positive statements that are repeated in our minds and sometimes said out loud to replace any negative thoughts.
Muscle relaxation exercises Muscle relaxation exercises train us to better recognise when our bodies might be reacting to a stressful or upsetting situation which prevents us from being fully relaxed and in control of our thoughts and therefore preventing us to create positive thoughts too.
Stress Management diary This is a bit like the worry time and useful for those of you who are feeling really stressed out.
A stress management diary allows you to see patterns and if done correctly, can provide you with permanent solutions to things that stress you out.
Affirmations Affirmations allowed us to consciously empower our minds and reprogram it at a subconscious level (the bank of thoughts and information in out minds we don't use all the time), and replaces all those old untrue negative thoughts about ourselves.
Affirmations can be used in meditation and developing a positive self image and is most effective when spoken aloud, are easy to say and rhythmic.
Essential Tips for affirmations: Make sure you use positive words.
The key is to state what you do want, not what you don't want.
Also, affirmations are only effective when we speak for ourselves as we cannot change others e.
g.
"I am at peace with my sister", NOT, "my sister and I don't fight anymore.
" The main point is you have a choice - you can change how you feel if you really want to.
When you are feeling worried and scared, jealous, stressed, angry, bitter or resentful and can't shake it.
Ask yourself this question: "How do I want to feel?" I'm sure you'll come up with something different to what you are feeling in those bad times.
Then, follow the steps above and if you practice, sooner than later you will find things that may have affected you in the past are like water of a duck's back.
  Developing a positive self-image This is a skill that tops everything off and is especially important when our bodies begin to change before we know it! When we have a positive self-image, we feel comfortable with who we are and what we are doing in our lives.
And although many of us don't know who we are or what we want to do with our lives, what's great about this technique is that it doesn't matter! To start developing a positive self-image, you start with a 'wish list' of what we would like to be true about ourselves.
For example: "I wish I was slimmer" Then, in a column next to it you write an affirmation to correspond with the desire.
"My body's natural state is good health.
Physical activity comes naturally"  Positive thinking checklist

1. Daily journaling
2. Daily worry time
3. Practice Meditation daily
4. Muscle relaxation exercises daily
5. Stress Management diary weekly
6. Affirmations as needed
7. Developing a positive self-image NOW!