Optimistic and positive or pessimistic and negative – the choice is yours!

As I mentioned last time, as a child and young adult my natural inclination tended towards pessimism. I often found myself viewing situations as difficult, complicated and unfair rather than seeing them as challenging, interesting and under my control. (I have to mention that I had many sunny moments along the way too!)

However, my husband, who is forever optimistic, would never allow me to say "just my luck" – a great catchphrase of mine and would always quote the American golfer Arnold Palmer who once said: "It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get!"

And it's true, hiding behind a belief in luck – good or bad, gives us an excuse to blame our difficulties on external influences that we have no control over and so behave like helpless victims. But, by accepting responsibility for our lives, all but the gravest situations we face in life can be tackled positively and be seen as a learning experience.

By following a few simple rules, you too can begin to train yourself to view life more positively.

- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Begin to believe in yourself.
- Look for and find the positive in the negative.
- Visualise success and how it will feel once you get there.
- Plan for success and how to tackle difficulties along the way.
- Set yourself realistic and achievable goals.
- Accept responsibility and don't blame others.
- If you meet failure, plan how to do better next time.
- Do not give up but always have a flexible approach.
- Reward and celebrate your successes.

Acquiring an optimistic approach to life will ultimately make you feel more confident, happy, successful and more attractive to other people.

It takes time to change your mental attitude but give it a go – it will be worth it!

Brigitte Girling, of Style2Live, can be contacted, 01379 897248,
or www.style2live.co.uk