6 Tips to Start the New Year with a Positive Mindset and Maintain It

The new year is finally here! It might seem like 2020 would never end, but now that we’ve got a fresh start, it’s the perfect time to adjust your mindset and maintain it throughout 2021.

Resolutions are notorious for getting broken. That’s usually because people lose the motivation to keep them, or they create goals that are unattainable.

You can keep your resolutions throughout the year, set better goals, and develop a better attitude with a positive mindset. Not sure how to kick off your year with that kind of positivity?

Let’s look at six tips you can use to start 2021 with the right mindset and keep it all year long.

1. Be Aware of Your Current Mindset

The first step to changing your mindset into a positive one is to recognize where you currently are. Do you have an occasional inner voice that speaks negatively? Does it hold you back?

By recognizing that, you can better convince yourself to make a big change.

2. Answer the Voice of Doubt

If you do occasionally experience negative self-talk, one of the best things you can do to change it is to talk back.

Some people think that simply “ignoring” that negativity is the way to go, but it’s simply not enough. Address those negative thoughts directly and remind yourself why you want to be positive. Tell yourself about your strengths and banish those thoughts from telling you that you “can’t” do
something.

3. Learn from Failures

Much of your negative self-talk might come from past failures or experiences that didn’t go the way you wanted.

A great way to develop a positive mindset is to rethink those failures. Look at them again through a different lens. They may have hurt at the time, but what did you learn from them? How did they help you grow?

By focusing on things that you may have once considered negative and giving them a positive spin, you’re more likely to take that approach into the future.

4. Challenge Yourself

One of the best ways to practice a positive mindset is to take on something challenging.

You might challenge yourself at work, in a relationship, or with a personal goal. Do something that doesn’t come naturally for you and make a commitment to work toward it. Facing challenges means there may be some setbacks. But, with a positive mindset, you’ll continue to learn, grow, fight back, and reach your goals.

5. Don’t Get Knocked Down

A positive mindset and flexibility go hand-in-hand. You might not always reach your goals. Things won’t always go the way you planned.

If you get knocked down, get up again. That’s easier said than done when you have a negative voice yelling at you. But that’s why it’s so important to get rid of that voice before you dive into something new. Push yourself toward positivity when things don’t go your way. Be flexible with your actions and don’t consider a missed opportunity or unaccomplished goal an automatic failure.

6. Be Self-Compassionate

Negative self-talk is harsh, cruel, and cold. Unfortunately, the old saying about most of us being our own worst enemies is often very true.

When you choose to be kind to yourself, you’re setting the foundation of a positive mindset. This is something that will allow that positivity to last throughout the year. Eventually, being kind to yourself will become second nature. The negative self-talk will fade. You’ll be more compassionate with your feelings and actions. That will reflect in everything you do and can change your perspective on your life.

Instead of focusing on specific resolutions or goals this year, try to shift your way of thinking. A positive mindset can go a long way. It can carry you into your future plans with a sense of peace, and that’s a greater achievement than any short-term goal.