Life can bear down on us. When daily annoyances accumulate, we can end up leaving the office in a bad mood, and that can seep into our home life. Don’t let those not-so-good days get to you. Instead, spend a few minutes meditating, focusing on the positives and being grateful for everything you have—trust us, it will make all the difference.
Related: What I Learned From 30 Days of Positive Thinking
We asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council what their favorite mood-boosting tricks are. Here’s what they told us.
1. Use the phrase, “Yes, and?”
There’s a simple concept called, “yes, and?” In every conversation, if everyone can commit to replacing the word “but” with “yes, and?” to keep things moving forward, that helps keep the positivity moving forward as well. You can disagree with people not by pushing them back, but by propelling them forward.
—Christopher Kelly, Convene
2. Reflect on the good and bad.
At the end of the day, I like to recount the worst part of my day and the best part—I call it the “pits and peaks.” In order to keep things positive and avoid getting caught up in the negative, I think of one pit and three peaks. Even if I had the worst day, there are always things to be thankful for, and this helps me take a moment and be grateful.
—Jared Brown, Hubstaff Talent
3. Work toward a higher goal.
Find the meaning in what you do and how it helps others for the better. Tie your goals and strategies to making someone else’s life better or more whole, and you’ll find the positivity in what you do every day. Be grateful for the many opportunities you have to help those around you. An attitude of gratitude is the fastest way to positivity in life.
—Nicole Munoz, Start Ranking Now
4. Take time off for yourself and your family.
The entrepreneurial grind can suck you in and consume you entirely if you let it. Spending time doing things you love, such as playing a round of golf or spending the day with your family, can help create a more balanced life. The stress and obstacles that come with running a business will be your downfall unless you have outlets that bring positivity into your routine.
—Jonathan Long, Sexy Smile Kit
5. Use The Five Minute Journal.
Each day, I use The Five Minute Journal, which has helped increase my well-being and positivity. I spend a few minutes at the start and end of each day writing down what I am grateful for and the positive things that happened. It helps me realize that no matter how tough a day can be, there is still a lot to be thankful for.
—Diana Goodwin, AquaMobile
6. Laugh more.
Whenever I’m feeling stressed out or just had a terrible day, I like to get a good laugh. That can be by watching a funny movie, watching a comedian or even going through Facebook and seeing the funny and outrageous stuff people post. By getting a good laugh, I feel more positive, and that keeps me motivated to keep growing and striving for more.
—Patrick Barnhill, Specialist ID, Inc.
7. Be grateful.
Expressing gratitude for everything helps me become more positive and excited about my daily life. Remembering all the little things that make life easier and comfortable can create a powerful, positive vibe for anyone.
—Diego Orjuela, Cables & Sensors
8. Don’t complain.
This might seem tough, but when you have a “no complaints” rule, something amazing happens. You’ll begin to move away from focusing on problems and instantly look for solutions every time you’re faced with a challenge. I’ve found that this is one of the most powerful and effective ways to maintain a positive outlook no matter what else is going on in your life. Make it a habit and you’ll be surprised.
—Ajit Nawalkha, Mindvalley
9. Surround yourself with positive people.
We become what we are surrounded by on a daily basis. And so an easy way to get happier and have a more positive life is to ensure you are surrounded by positive people. Positive people can shift our moods, challenge our perspectives and encourage us to find the good. Make a list of the five people you spend the most time with and ask yourself if they are positive or negative.
—Beth Doane, Main & Rose
Related: 4 Ways to Be More Positive
Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only organization comprising the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.
