Positive Thinking Exercises

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Summary

Positive thinking exercises are simple activities or routines designed to help people focus on optimistic thoughts and build a healthier mindset, making challenges easier to handle. These practices encourage noticing good moments, reframing setbacks, and using gratitude to boost overall well-being at work and home.

  • Spot small wins: Make it a habit to write down moments of joy or accomplishments throughout your day, so you can revisit them whenever you need a mood boost.
  • Try constructive self-talk: Whenever you catch yourself thinking negatively, pause and replace those thoughts with positive statements about growth and learning.
  • Start morning journaling: Dedicate a few minutes each morning to reflect on your feelings, gratitude, and what excites you—this helps set a positive tone for your day.
Summarized by AI based on LinkedIn member posts
  • View profile for Stewart Hill

    Enduring Performance Speaker. Turning Stress, Change and Cognitive overload into sustained, high-quality performance. Creator of the MPG Model

    3,173 followers

    Do you ever stop to see the small, positive things happening all around us, every day, everywhere? I made an effort to appreciate the small, seemingly ordinary things in my daily life to help me cope with my brain injury and impairments. Start to take note of what's going on around you, the small positives - your šŸ’Ž Daily Diamonds šŸ’Ž Add them up. Accumulate them. Acknowledge they are there. Notice and appreciate the wealth around you. I write my šŸ’Ž down each day: it could be the birds singing with the joy of spring as I get in the car first thing in the morning; the smell of the honeysuckle as I walk past a neighbour's house on the way to the shops; the pound coin I find in my pocket enabling me to use a shopping trolley. These Daily Diamonds are given to all of us, every day. They add up and balance off the less good things in life. They can shift focus from challenges and setbacks to the positive aspects of daily life. Implementing 'Daily Diamonds' in the workplace: It's easy to get caught up in the stress and pressure of daily tasks. Integrating the 'daily diamonds' exercise into our work routine can improve resilience and mental health among us all. Here are some suggestions for how the 'Daily Diamonds' exercise can be applied in work: šŸ’Ž Daily/Weekly Check-Ins: Start or end meetings with team members sharing their daily diamonds. šŸ’Ž Personal Journals: Encourage employees to keep a 'daily diamonds' journal. šŸ’Ž Recognition Boards: Create a 'Daily Diamonds' board for employees to post notes about their positive experiences. Watch the accumulation of your work diamonds over the course of a week, month and year. Which is your richest team? What can this wealth bring to your company? šŸ’Ž Enhanced Positivity: shifts focus from stress to small joys, boosting morale. šŸ’Ž Team Building: sharing positive experiences strengthens team bonds. šŸ’Ž Stress Reduction: reflecting on positives provides a mental break from pressures. šŸ’Ž Increased Resilience: recognising positives boosts mental resilience. šŸ’Ž Positive Culture: fosters gratitude and appreciation, increasing job satisfaction. Incorporating 'Daily Diamonds' into our routine can lead to remarkable improvements in mental health and resilience, creating a happier and more productive workplace. Why don't we celebrate our 'Daily Diamonds' and support each other in building resilience and maintaining mental well-being? The 'Daily Diamonds' exercise exemplifies each part of my Resilience formula that will build resilience and mental health: Minimise negative thinking, Pursue positive brain change, and Generate collective strength. R=MPG² PS The photo shows a coffee mug my daughter gave me for my recent birthday. Now I am reminded of the richness of her love every time I have a coffee at home. #DailyDiamonds šŸ’Ž šŸ’Ž šŸ’Ž #Resilience #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership #PositiveThinking #Minimisenegativethinking #Pursuepositivebrainchange #Generatecollectivestrength

  • View profile for šŸŖ‘Marilyn Sherman, CSP, CPAE šŸŖ‘

    Inspiring Keynote Speaker | Peak Performance Expert | Helping Leaders Take Their Seat of Success in the Front Row.

    14,424 followers

    The Power of Optimism: Finding Light Amidst Negativity Amidst the challenges and uncertainties in the world today, it’s crucial to harness the power of optimism. Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly ease life’s burdens, even in the face of bad news. Optimism propels us toward solutions and resolutions. But how can we stay optimistic when surrounded by negativity, challenging people, or uncontrollable circumstances? Two Practical Strategies for Sustaining Optimism 1. Create a Humor File A humor file is a collection of things that make you laugh or smile. Every morning, I engage in a group chat with a small circle of incredibly funny and caring women. Their humor lifts my spirits, setting a positive tone for the day. To maintain your optimism:     •  Track things that make you laugh: Jokes, memes, or funny moments.     •  Access your humor file during stressful moments: It can help shift your mood positively. Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad day—only bad moments that people choose to nurse all day long. 2. Create a Win-List A win-list, or gratitude journal, is where you record daily victories. These can be big or small, like receiving a compliment, overcoming procrastination, or achieving a goal. To cultivate positivity:     •  Document your wins: Anything that made you feel accomplished or happy.     •  Reflect on your win-list regularly: It helps your brain focus on the positives, making you more likely to notice and appreciate good things. A Personal Example My husband, (post-cancer surgery and currently in rehab), shares a nightly ritual with me. I take out our win-list and I ask him ā€œWhat are you grateful for today?ā€Ā He doesn’t hesitate, he just starts listing all these positive things from his day. Despite his situation, he remembers the names of all the nurses and practitioners who assist him. His gratitude list includes their kindness and the support we receive, like beautiful flowers from one of my closest friends, daily calls from another friend, noise-canceling headphones to ease the stress of sharing a room with another patient, and cookies, always appreciate a box of cookies! By focusing on these positive aspects, we find more things to be grateful for, fostering a more optimistic outlook. Action Steps for You This Front-Row Friday, start implementing these strategies: 1Ā Ā Create a humor file: Fill it with things that make you laugh. Take your work seriously but take yourself lightly. 2Ā Ā Start a win-list: Write down daily gratitudes and victories. Pull out your win list whenever you need a boost, and let it remind you of the good in your life. By doing so, you’ll begin to see more wins and cultivate a more optimistic perspective. Stay positive and hopeful.

  • View profile for Sarah Bloom, Ph.D.

    Talent & Leadership Development Meets AI | Posts about Leadership in the AI World

    3,042 followers

    "I'm not going to be good at this." STOP! Your mindset is your superpower. Research in positive psychology shows that the way you frame challenges, setbacks, and opportunities has more influence on performance than raw skill. Leaders who deliberately shape their mindset unlock higher resilience, creativity, and team engagement. Here are 7 practical ways to strengthen your mindset muscle: 1ļøāƒ£Reframe stress – View pressure as preparation, not punishment. Studies show this boosts performance and lowers burnout. 2ļøāƒ£Practice learned optimism – Ask after setbacks: What can we control? What did we learn? 3ļøāƒ£Lead with strengths – Teams that play to their strengths are more engaged and productive. 4ļøāƒ£Create psychological safety – Model vulnerability, reward smart risks, and encourage curiosity. 5ļøāƒ£Show gratitude daily – Even a brief thank-you note improves trust and morale. 6ļøāƒ£Visualize success – Mental rehearsal primes the brain for better execution. 7ļøāƒ£Reconnect with purpose – Remind teams how their work improves lives. Positive psychology is about training the mind to see possibility where others see limits. When you shift your lens, you change your leadership impact. Question for you: Which of these practices will you apply this week? āœ…Follow me, Sarah Bloom, Ph.D., for more advice on leadership, HR, and being irreplaceable in the AI Era.

  • View profile for Frederick Churbuck

    Team struggling to book meetings or close deals? I can help | Mentored & coached 750+ salespeople to go from rookies to elite leaders. You'd be next. 25+ yrs in Software, Tech, Education/EdTech, SaaS, Travel & Wellness.

    11,298 followers

    I’m weird as I've got a strange habit that has changed my life. Every morning, I do a 10 Minute Journal Exercise. I started this practice because I was looking for a way to kickstart my days with more purpose and positivity. Now, it has become my secret weapon for productivity and mindfulness. 5 Questions. 2 minutes each.Ā  It's had remarkable results. And here's the kicker - it's so easy. I recommend using a journal so you can look back on previous days. If you're anti-paper, open a blank document and add to it daily. š—”š˜€š—ø š˜š—µš—²š˜€š—² šŸ± š—¾š˜‚š—²š˜€š˜š—¶š—¼š—»š˜€ š˜š—¼ š˜†š—¼š˜‚š—æš˜€š—²š—¹š—³: How am I feeling today? What am I grateful for? What is the most important task of the day? What am I worried about? What am I excited about? I just time myself for 2 minutes and type out whatever comes to mind.Ā  Here's what I've learned: ↳  How I'm feeling is a KPI for how my day will go. The more inspiration I expose myself to in the morning, the more I seem to get out of the day. ↳  I have a lot to be grateful for. Bringing it to mind in the morning helps me slow down, be more intentional, put things in perspective, and do my best to support those around me. ↳  I identify the most important task of the day and do it first thing. If you follow me, you know I'm an "Eat the Frog" enthusiast! ↳  Looking back at what I worried about, out of the last 30 days, the thing I spent worrying the most about never happened. It was wasted energy. I worry much less now. ↳  The things that drive my excitement are often what I find the most joy in and feel best at. I try to find ways to make my most important task something I'm really excited about. Let me share a quick story.šŸ‘‡ Last month, I was dreading a big presentation at work. But through this journaling practice, I realized I was actually excited about sharing my ideas. I flipped my mindset from worry to excitement, and guess what? The presentation was a hit. This simple shift in perspective, which I gained from my morning journal, made all the difference. š—¦š—¼, š—µš—²š—æš—²'š˜€ š—ŗš˜† š—°š—µš—®š—¹š—¹š—²š—»š—“š—² š˜š—¼ š˜†š—¼š˜‚:Ā Give this 10 Minute Journal Exercise a shot for just one week. I bet you'll be amazed at how it can transform your day-to-day life. Who knows? You might just become as weird as me šŸ™‚ P.S. - Enjoyed reading this? Repostā™»ļø it to your network and follow Frederick Churbuck for more. #journaling #productivity #positivity #transformationĀ 

  • View profile for Jahin Tanvir
    Jahin Tanvir Jahin Tanvir is an Influencer

    CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship & American School of Entrepreneurship. Gen Z Futurist.

    24,966 followers

    When I was in school, I didn’t have the tools to manage my emotions. I just pushed through and hoped for the best. Working with young people across Australia has taught me that emotional skills are not something you ā€œjust figure out.ā€ They are learned. One model I’ve been sharing lately is something calledĀ 'Constructive Autosuggestion.' It’s the practice ofĀ intentionally shaping your self-talkĀ to reinforce growth instead of doubt. Ɖmile CouĆ©, a French psychologist, found that repeating simple positive statements each day can improve confidence, motivation and performance. And later research supports this:Ā self-affirmation has been shown to reduce stress and improve problem-solving under pressureĀ (Creswell et al., 2013). Instead of: ā€œI’m terrible at this.ā€ ā€œI don’t know what I’m doing.ā€ ā€œI always mess this up.ā€ Shifting to: ā€œI’m getting better at this.ā€ ā€œI’m learning.ā€ ā€œI am improving every day.ā€ Really love sharing this with thousands of young Aussies through our The ASE Group programs. #innovation #entrepreneurship #youth

  • View profile for Rachel Vecht

    I help companies support parents to build work-life harmony & raise children to thrive | Working with HR, Inclusion, ERG & L&D teams for 25+ yrs | Keynote Talks, Workshops, 121s, Consulting | Mum of 4

    19,205 followers

    Ever wonder why some people seem naturally happier than others? Have you come across the happiness set point—the idea that about 50% of our happiness is genetically determined, like a built-in baseline. But here’s the good news: you can influence the rest! šŸ”¹ 10% is shaped by life circumstances (job, income, relationships). šŸ”¹40% is within your control—through your habits, mindset, and daily choices. You may not control your starting point, but you can influence how you rise above it. Since 40% of your happiness is shaped by your habits, mindset, and daily actions, here are some practical ways to boost it: 1. Practice Gratitude Daily āœ… Keep a gratitude journal—write 3 things you’re thankful for every day. āœ… Express appreciation to others—send a thank-you message or give a compliment. āœ… Shift perspective—focus on what’s going well, not just what’s missing. 2. Strengthen Social Connections āœ… Spend quality time with family and friends—face-to-face, not just online. āœ… Join groups or communities that align with your interests. āœ… Make time for meaningful conversations—deep talks strengthen bonds. 3. Prioritise Physical & Mental Well-Being āœ… Move your body—exercise boosts endorphins and reduces stress. āœ… Get enough sleep—a well-rested mind is a happier mind. āœ… Practice mindfulness or meditation—helps reduce anxiety and increases emotional balance. 4. Cultivate a Positive Mindset āœ… Reframe negative thoughts—challenges are opportunities for growth. āœ… Use affirmations—speak kindly to yourself. āœ… Avoid comparison—focus on your journey, not someone else’s highlight reel. 5. Do Things That Bring You Joy āœ… Engage in hobbies or creative activities (music, painting, sports, etc.). āœ… Spend time in nature—fresh air and greenery improve mood. āœ… Laugh more—watch a funny show, share jokes, or be playful. 6. Give Back & Be Kind āœ… Acts of kindness—helping others boosts your own happiness. āœ… Volunteer—contributing to a cause gives life more meaning. āœ… Practice forgiveness—letting go of grudges reduces emotional weight. 7. Set Goals & Find Purpose āœ… Identify what truly excites and motivates you. āœ… Set small, achievable goals and celebrate progress. āœ… Align your daily actions with your values and passions. What’s one habit that boosts your happiness? How do you consciously work on it? Don't you find it surprising that only 10% is attributed to life circumstances? #worldhappinessday Join me today for a panel discussion with Nadim Saad, Nova Eden and Katy Fridman about how to raise happy, resilient kids in challenging times. Register here https://lnkd.in/euMAiFZD

  • View profile for Amy Misnik, Pharm.D.

    Healthcare Executive | Investor | GP @ 9FB Capital | 25+ GTM Launches

    24,847 followers

    Most people start mornings stressed. Science says 3 minutes can change that. For years, my mornings felt chaotic. Snoozing alarms. Scrolling aimlessly. And starting the day already behind. I thought it was just how mornings were. Stressful, rushed, and overwhelming. Turns out, I wasn’t alone: 95% of Americans dislike mornings, associating them with stress and overwhelm (Ipsos). But your mornings don’t have to feel this way. Everything changed when I discovered this science-backed protocol from Dr. Andrew Huberman. It’s not about waking up at 5 AM. Or doing a crazy 10-step ritual. It’s about starting your day with clarity, calm, and focus. And the best part... It only takes 3 minutes. Here’s the exact protocol: 1ļøāƒ£ 5 Gratitudes ↳ Gratitude reduces stress and primes your brain for positivity. ↳ Write down five things you’re thankful for. ↳ It can be simple, like ā€œhot coffeeā€ or ā€œa sunny day.ā€ 2ļøāƒ£ 3 Plans for the Day ↳ Defining priorities can increase productivity. ↳ Write down your top three must-do tasks. ↳ Simple beats complicated. 3ļøāƒ£ Fears or Resentments ↳ Naming emotions reduces their intensity. ↳ Write down one fear or frustration. ↳ Acknowledging it clears mental clutter. 4ļøāƒ£ Things to Watch Out For ↳ Anticipating challenges helps you navigate them calmly. ↳ Identify one potential obstacle. ↳ Think of distractions or a difficult meeting. 5ļøāƒ£ Things to Strive For ↳ Big goals activate your brain’s motivation centers. ↳ Write down one aspiration for the day. ↳ Dream big. This routine isn’t just about planning your day. It’s about rewiring your brain. It works because it aligns your emotions, focus, and actions, all in under 3 minutes. Practices like gratitude, goal-setting, and emotional awareness improve focus, reduce anxiety, and make decision-making easier. At first, writing down my fears felt strange. But what surprised me most? Acknowledging them took the edge off. They stopped controlling my thoughts. Even if you start mornings stressed, this protocol can change how you approach the day. Here’s what changed for me: āœ… I stopped starting the day in a fog of stress. āœ… I tackled my priorities before noon. āœ… And no more procrastinating. āœ… Even on bad days, this helped me reset. For non-morning people? It might just convert you. This isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about giving yourself 3 minutes to create clarity, calm, and focus. Try it for a week. If it doesn’t work for you, let it go. But if it does? You’ll never look back. ā™»ļø Repost this to inspire more focused mornings. āž• Follow me (Amy) for science-backed strategies.

  • View profile for Christine LaVopa ✨

    I help women build strength, get defined, and boost their health for career and life beyond. I keynote for companies that want health to be their competitive edge. | Christ āœļø | TEDx & UN Speaker | Mil-spouse

    51,599 followers

    I made a swear jar for my client, but it wasn’t for swearing… It was every time she said something negative about herself. I noticed on coaching calls she called herself fat, chunky, or and put herself down, even if it was only ā€œjokingā€. ā€œI hear your frustration, but I won’t and can’t let you talk about yourself like thisā€. I stopped her in mid-sentence. Now, this might be an unconventional method of coaching BUT… There needed to be a mindset shift. Part of building a strong foundation for your health and wellness journey is centered around habits; creating and breaking. 🤫 I’ll tell you a secret. Your body hears what your mind is thinking, and saying. āŒ If you keep telling yourself ā€œI’m never going to lose weight or feel uncomfortable in my skin.ā€ āŒ ā€œNothing is working. I'm going to just be unhappy with my body forever.ā€ Guess what…that is what WILL happen. You will create these thoughts. šŸ‘‰Your body will follow your mind and actions. ā€¼ļø Here are 3 Powerful Self Talk habits I implemented into my client's lifestyle, and something you can start doing today. āœ… Visualization: Picture yourself achieving your goals. Visualization can enhance motivation and create a mental image of success. āœ… Challenge Negative Thoughts: When negative thoughts arise, challenge them. Ask yourself if they’re based on facts or assumptions, and reframe them in a positive light. āœ…Gratitude Practice: Focus on what you appreciate about yourself and your life. Gratitude can shift your mindset towards positivity. Remember, building powerful self-talk is a continuous practice. Consistency and patience are key to transforming your mindset. 🫶 You have to speak about yourself with kindness and the person you want to become! What are you saying about yourself? Does it align with your goals?

  • View profile for Holly Moe

    Sales Transformation and Execution | Empowering B2B Sellers and Sales Organizations to Outperform | Ex-Gartner Product & Sales Growth | C-Suite selling | 3x #1 WW| 5x Program Win Rates, 48% New Growth

    20,133 followers

    ā€œThink Positive?ā€ That Advice Is Broken. ā€œJust have a great mindset.ā€ Ever been told that in a tough moment? Revenue’s flat. You’ve tried everything. Self-doubt gets loud. And someone says, ā€œThink positive.ā€ Helpful? Not really. Here’s the truth: →Mindset isn’t magic. →It’s not hype. →It’s not pretending everything’s fine. ✨It’s a skillset. →One you can train, just like strategy, sales, or leadership. →When all you see is the mountain →When progress feels invisible →When pressure is draining every ounce of energy There’s a better way. āš™ļø This is how top performers stop the spiral and move from stuck to strategic →Simple. Repeatable. Proven. Start with these 7 elite mental shortcuts 1ļøāƒ£ The Yet Journal ↳Turn ā€œI can’tā€¦ā€ into ā€œI can’t yetā€ ↳Add one small action; build momentum fast 2ļøāƒ£ The Learning Loop ↳After every challenge: ↳What worked? What didn’t? What will I try next? 3ļøāƒ£ Skill Stacking ↳Break big goals into skills. ↳Build one at a time. 4ļøāƒ£ Challenge Reframing ā†³ā€œI have toā€ → ā€œI get toā€ ↳Shift from dread to opportunity 5ļøāƒ£ The Feedback Framework ↳Ask, don’t defend. ↳Act on one insight right away. 6ļøāƒ£ Progress Mapping ↳Rate your skills monthly (1–10) ↳Track your curve → see what’s growing 7ļøāƒ£ The Growth Story ↳Capture the moments: ā†³ā€œLast week I couldn’t… now I canā€¦ā€ This isn't just about work. šŸ—£ļøThese tools show up in hard conversations šŸ  At home šŸ‘„ With your team 🧭 In the moments when clarity feels far away The shift is real: From spiraling → strategy From pressure → perspective From feeling behind → building with purpose 🧩 Mindset isn’t mysterious anymore →There’s a method →A daily practice →A repeatable path 🌠What’s your top growth mindset habit? Share the one that changed the game for you. ā™»ļø Repost to help others grow šŸ”” Follow Holly Moe for more tools that multiply success in work and life

  • View profile for Ritu Dahiya

    Trauma-Informed Psychologist | Helping You Move from Overwhelm → Emotional Stability—Without Burnout | Therapy, Tools & Support

    42,281 followers

    6 Effective CBT Exercises for Mental Wellness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical techniques to address negative thinking, anxiety, and stress. Here are six exercises you can practice to promote mental well-being: --- 1ļøāƒ£ Cognitive Restructuring (Challenging Negative Thoughts) Purpose: Identify and challenge negative thoughts. Steps: 1. Write down a triggering situation. 2. List automatic thoughts (e.g., "I’m a failure"). 3. Challenge the thought: What evidence supports this? What contradicts it? What advice would I give a friend? 4. Replace it with a balanced thought. --- 2ļøāƒ£ Behavioral Activation Purpose: Increase engagement in meaningful activities to combat depression. Steps: 1. List activities you enjoy (e.g., walking, painting). 2. Plan and commit to doing one each day. 3. Track your mood before and after. --- 3ļøāƒ£ Thought Log Purpose: Build awareness of distressing thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Steps: 1. Journal distressing situations. 2. Note: The situation (What happened?) Your thoughts (What did you think?) Your emotions (How did you feel?) A healthier alternative thought. --- 4ļøāƒ£ Graded Exposure Purpose: Gradually face fears to reduce anxiety. Steps: 1. Identify a feared situation (e.g., public speaking). 2. Create a fear hierarchy from least to most intimidating. 3. Gradually expose yourself to each level, starting with the least scary. 4. Use relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing) as you progress. --- 5ļøāƒ£ Mindfulness Meditation Purpose: Foster non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and emotions. Steps: 1. Sit quietly and focus on your breath for 5–10 minutes. 2. When distracted, gently return to your breath. --- 6ļøāƒ£ Problem-Solving Skills Purpose: Break down overwhelming problems into manageable steps. Steps: 1. Define the problem clearly. 2. Brainstorm solutions (even unrealistic ones). 3. Evaluate the pros and cons. 4. Choose one and create actionable steps. --- Hashtags: #MentalHealth #CBT #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #AnxietyRelief #DepressionHelp #Mindfulness #StressRelief #SelfCare #TherapyTools #PositiveThinking #EmotionalWellness #MentalWellness #OvercomingAnxiety #StressManagement #SelfGrowth #HealthyMindset #PersonalDevelopment #BehavioralActivation #MindfulLiving #MentalHealthAwareness

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