Nobody wishes that they were more pessimistic. Or that they complained more. Or that they had a less exciting life.
We tend to wish to be better, yet it's incredibly easy to put off actually working on it. Once a habit, always a habit, right? Wrong-o. The clever people of the world have discovered that it takes from 20-30 days to develop a new habit. I like to think that it takes just as little time to say goodbye to a habit. Nobody truly enjoys being a misery guts (despite how convincing some are at suggesting otherwise), but it's difficult to kick the habits.
I willingly raise my hand and admit that I was once a relentless Moaning Minnie. Everything sucked, life was a bitch and 'whining' would have been my middle name had my parents not already chosen something more ridiculous. And as a once upon a time whinge-bag, I can safely say that it really does take a lot more effort to be happy than it does to stay miserable.
I'll let you into a little secret; negativity attracts negativity and positivity attracts positivity. So slap a smile on that pretty face, think a little brighter and kick the habits of highly negative people.
1. Deny Control
While I may only be taking advantage of Stephen R Covey's incredible book to aid my inability to think of a title, the man had some good points.
The first habit of highly effective people that Covey recognised, for example, is that they are proactive. Negative types aren't so into that, it's easier to pretend that if good things were supposed to happen to you, they would.
Success and happiness was never handed to anybody on a plate, you have to work for it. Maybe it really is easier to blame everything and everyone but yourself when life doesn't turn out the way you hoped it would, but it's a hell of a lot more satisfying to simply get off your backside and make it happen. No more wishing that you had a better job or a hotter body or more satisfying sex. Go get it.
2. Revel in Drama
What is there to gossip about if somebody hasn't pissed you off or if you haven't found yourself a nice guy who turned out to be an arsehole yet again? Maybe you enjoy the drama. And if you enjoy the drama, maybe you create it intentionally, even if subconciously.
Negative people tend to get their kicks from having something to moan about, so it's vital that they keep bad situations and people that they don't like in their lives. Have you ever written a passive aggressive tweet/status, or sent a text with the intention of creating a petty argument? I've been there. I used to love me some drama. Y'know what I love more? No drama. A peaceful, content day to day life, choosing to avoid any potential frustration and people that actually only make me miserable.
3. Don't make goals
Just wing it and hope that eventually you'll have the life that you want. I hate to say it, but that's how you end up in a dead end job wondering what went wrong. I know far too many people who prefer to complain about how awful their job is rather than work towards something better.
Knowing what you want to achieve and setting yourself goals with the intention of working towards them gives you something to strive towards and something to look forward to. You'll feel happier when you have intentions, ambitions and something to wake up for each morning. Don't expect success to fly your way if you're not willing to put in the work for it.
4. Surround yourself with similar people
Negative people expect and attract the worst, including the company they keep. Do you stay in touch with people who make you feel bad about yourself or who constantly moan about everything, despite how mentally draining you find them? If you would feel happier without specific people in your life, cut the contact. It doesn't make you a bad person, it just means that you care about your happiness.
The people who are always whining, those who are forever seeking somebody to bitch about - these people are dragging you down and turning YOU into a negative ninny.
5. Complain a lot
It really is the most efficient way to keep a negative outlook on life. Just complain ALL the time. It doesn't matter what you're complaining about - the weather, your day job, the driver in front of you. Things that are out of your control are the best things to whine about; why just accept that these things happen when can you choose to decide that life is simply shitty?
(Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and I indulge in it frequently. Complaining keeps you negative and effects the mood of everybody around you, too. Nobody wants to be THAT person.)
Being a positive is far more beneficial than being a negative. Be the person who tells everybody how incredible they look and be the best friend that everybody loves to spend time with. Be the person who chooses to decide that everything will work out okay and work a little harder every day to create the life you want.
Know that you have complete control over how positive a person you are. All ya need sometimes is a little change of perspective and somebody to remind you that life is good.
Image via Jo Naylor's Flickr