Negative thoughts can make us perceive problems that don’t really exist around us. Negativity can cause us to worry and remove our happiness.
The problem though is that many people don’t realize just how negative
they have become. It may be such a habit, that they are oblivious to it.
Another part of that problem is that you may be around people that are
negative all the time. They can zap your energy if you aren’t careful. You
are going to need to make some changes around those types of people to
help you move forward and be happy.

You may be saying that you can’t help who you are working with. Maybe
the lady at the desk right next to you does nothing but complain. It can
reduce you from a smiling, happy person in the morning to being grumpy
and wishing it was time to go home.

Count your Blessings

You can’t change other people and how they think, but you can reduce how you let it impact you. When negativity is around, it seems to ruin the entire
surrounding atmosphere. You can let it continue to do so or you can make
it better and be happy in spite of what others say.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get people to stop being so
negative is to ask them how they can change it. For example, if you are
listening to someone complain about another person, tell them politely that
they need to talk to that person about it if it is ever going to get better.

If someone is complaining they don’t understand a school assignment, tell
them they need to talk to the instructor about it. When there is a complaint
about something, ask what they can do to make it better. All of these
options are very simple on your end. Yet it will stop those negative people
in their tracks. They will stop being like that around you.

Be Optimistic

Pay close attention to how you react to things. If you feel that you are negative with them, change it around. Focus on being optimistic so that you
can feel happy. You may be startled at first as you realize the number of
times negative thoughts come into your mind.

However, the goal is going to be to change them into something positive
every single time. You will realize over time you are experiencing negative
thoughts less frequently. You will also find that you get into the habit of
automatically being optimistic. In time, it will become a huge part of who
you are and your lookout for life.

When you start to get down, think about all of the blessings you have in your life. Take a moment each morning to add up the little things that will bring you joy that day. Maybe you will get to meet someone new for a date that evening. Perhaps you are going to enjoy lunch with an old friend.

Before you go to bed at night, think about the small and big things that
occurred that made your day a good one. Did you get some free time t
read a book you enjoyed? Were you able to take the dog out for a walk and
some time to play at the park? These are the little things in life that really
do make us happy!

Be Grateful

If your way of thinking is about what you want and what you didn’t get, you
will always be disappointed. When your mindset is one that allows you to
be grateful then you can get through the hard times. You will also be happy
because you realize the contentment that comes from the simple things in
your life.

Be Kind

Smiling is one of the best ways to feel happier than you do right now. When
you smile, others will smile back at you. They are going to see you as
someone that they can approach. They will feel comfortable around. Being
kind isn’t hard, it is a choice.

Hold the door open for someone instead of rushing on to take care of your
business. Allow someone else to go first at a four way stop when no one is
sure who should go next.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Think about all of the positive ways
that you have done well at work, at home, and for others that day. Don’t
focus on the things that didn’t go your way or the to-do list that never
seems to end.

Doors Open and Close

Life may not always go according to your plans. Perhaps you applied for a
job you really wanted and didn’t get hired. However, that means that
another door is going to open for you. Don’t close your eyes to this or you
may miss out on the best things that are soon to come along.
Always look for the good in every situation. No matter how dire it may
seem, there is always something to be happy about. When you look at
things from such a point of view, you will be mentally empowered. You will
know that regardless of what life tosses your direction, you are going to be
able to overcome it. When you look at life from such a perspective, you will
also appreciate the good things when they do happen in your life.

Envision

By closing your eyes, you can spend some time envisioning what it takes to
make you happy. Focusing on the outcome that will develop is a great way
to start your day off well. It can also be a wonderful way to drift off to sleep
at night. When you envision what you really want, you can help to make it
happen.
During these envisioning episodes, think about how you FEEL during them.
Are you happy? Why are you happy with them? That is what you should be
focusing on. It could be due to where you are or who you are with that
makes all the difference to you.

Don’t Fear Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t think you are the only one. If you don’t
take some risks now and then, you aren’t going to make mistakes. Yet yo
aren’t going to achieve that level of happiness you want either. Put yourself
out there and you may get hurt, but you may also get the best possible
scenario.
If you don’t take the risk, you will be frozen right where you are. You will
also, end up with regrets concerning “what if” and those are the kind that
can take away your happiness.
This doesn’t mean you act carelessly and then blow off the fact that a
mistake was made. Instead, it means you do your very best. It means you
learn from your mistakes and continue to hold your head up high. It also
means you have the self-worth of knowing you gave it your all.

Surround Yourself with Good People

If you spend time around happy people, you are going to be happy too.
There will be far less negativity in your life. There are plenty of things you
can do to ensure you have quality relationships. Too often, people try to
have as many friends as possible. They love the idea that people like them.
As the saying goes, it is better to have 4 quarters than 100 pennies. Simply
put, it is the quality of the company you keep that matters, not the volume
of it.

Surround yourself with those that you love, that you trust, and that you feel comfortable around. You should be able to talk to them and feel like they support you.

Cut Out Negative People

One of the most difficult parts of being happy by surrounding yourself with
good people is letting go. Just because someone has been in your life for a
long time doesn’t mean they deserve to be there. If you are involved in
intimate relationships, you have friends or family, or you just feel that
someone is taking advantage then you need to sever those ties.

It can be very difficult to do, but it is going to be a step towards happiness
that you will be very proud you have taken. With family, it can be hard to
completely cut them out. You can start to distance yourself though and set
some ground rules. The same is true of co-workers that you don’t feel you
have a quality relationship with.

Take Part in Activities that Mean Something to You

When you are asked to take part in an event, think about how you will feel
about it. If the activity is something that is meaningful to you, then help with it. For example, if you are asked to help with a fundraiser for the community that could be dear to your heart.

When the activity is something you are interested in, you will be motivated
to continue with it. You will also get a great deal of personal satisfaction
from how you have contributed to that cause. Doing so is going to help you
feel very happy.