I am obsessed with the idea of positivism. Over the last couple of years I have written blog posts tied with the theme of positivity. One of my most viral and shared posts of all time is titled, “10 Habits of Positive Educators.” Within this post, I share and elaborate on some of the habits below. I have LOVED seeing educators around the world embrace these ideas, print this image below, hang it in their school, and to translate it into their native language!
One additional idea I wanted to add, that was not added in the post I am mentioning above, is how perseverance plays such a vital role in positivity; It may even be the most important factor.
We often tell ourselves, friends, colleagues, and students to “always be positive.” I am finding more and more that this advice is not helpful or practical. It is also not healthy. Aiming to be positive is fantastic, but we also cannot expect ourselves to always be super human. None of us are even close to perfection. We all have bad days. But, it is how we push forward that will help us get back to the positive. Now, that is what matters most.
Each day, I wake up and practice self-care strategies such as listening to calming music, country music, or whatever fits my mood at the time. I pray as I am driving to school each morning and I fill my heart and mind up with positive thoughts. I make extra efforts each day in my professional and personal life to be a happy, vibrant person.
But sometimes, life gets in the way and we all can naturally get upset, feel lonely, place ourselves in a bad mood, or feel more negative than is comfortable.
It is okay to feel all of those feelings. But, we cannot stay in that place. This is when perseverance takes a front seat in the equation as the most pivotal factor in getting back to a positive state, but first we have to be willing to do the hard work that it takes to be persistent.
To illustrate this, I am continuing a strength training and power lifting program. I am working to make this a priority in my life. On most days, if I am being honest, I do not want to do the heavy lifting, quite literally. Some days, I would rather go home and go to bed at a decent time. Sometimes I even take 30 minutes to put on my squat shoes because I am stalling to do the workout. Sometimes, I tell myself, “I can’t lift those weights- it will be too heavy.” But, I have to push myself through my own mindset, if I am in this state, each and every time. Why?
The long road is more important than my temporary feelings in the present moment. Share on XBecause I know the long road is more important than my temporary feelings in the present moment. This does not mean my feelings now do not matter. They do. But. I cannot allow myself to be so blinded by my thoughts, that I do not move forward. When I exert persistence, I become more positive because I see the results. For example, I see myself deadlifting 165 pounds now, and feel proud knowing that I did that. I pushed myself through each time I wanted to give up, and THAT is a powerful feeling.
In short, this post is a gentle reminder that nothing can stop you from continually finding your best life, as long as you are willing to do the leg work. Perseverance is the key, the answer, and the way to gain more positivity in your life. Stay the course. Good will come for you.
