Super-fan Dianna Craig asks another question:
I'm so impressed by your positivity and what you've manifested in your career. What's your secret?
Dearest Dianna, some things you're just lucky to be born with--and my resilient, positive nature is probably the best natural-born gift I've got. I've always seen the shiny side of the coin and my cup is never half-empty, it's just not in my nature to think that way. Not that I don't have days where I feel like complaining or ranting or not appreciating life (oh yes indeedy, I sure do). But the overwhelming majority of the time I feel lucky, blessed, and optimistic.
Well, that's just wonderful, you freakin' ray of sunshine. But what about the rest of us?!
You can TRAIN yourself to be a positive, optimistic person--in fact, the training that I did to do that was what I feel really catapulted me from content-off-off-off-Broadway-actor into deliriously-happy-TV-star-on-the-rise.
You know what you're about to hear, at this point. Yes. My list of fantastic Optimism Flexing Exercises.
1. Dallas Travers, Dallas Travers, Dallas Travers. If you're reading this, you've probably studied with her (or are highly considering it). Dallas is all about taking bold, empowering action....and letting go, without attachment, to results. And supplementing that need for control with mindset. She is ALL about having the right kind of mindset for your own happiness and the prosperity of your career. My favorite tool she uses is something called LIVING MANTRAS. It's downloadable via iTunes, and it's a series of questions you ask yourself to change the way you think about your life. It definitely trains you to use rose-colored glasses.
2. Make optimistic choices. A simple but large part of being positive and optimistic is simply refusing to get involved or invested in people or events that are all about negativity and downward spirals, you know? Listen to fun, upbeat music. Watch more of Jim Henson's work (I'm serious). And for real, pick your friends wisely. Which brings me to...
3. Get into a positive community. Dallas has this wonderful insight--there are Your People, and there are Not Your People (or NYPs). Your People understand you, love you, support you, cheer you, and seemingly always buoy you up when you're down. They believe in you and are drawn to you, and when you see them, you're left feeling BETTER, more whole. People who are NOT Your People? Well, they leave a little much to be desired. Maybe they shoot you down. Maybe they belittle you, or just cast a pall over your energy when you see them. And after interacting with them, it might feel like you were just rained upon. Bottom line? Find Your People. Spend as much time with them as humanly possible. :)
4. Search The Universe. I've been working on a greater understanding and more trusting relationship with The Universe--it's been a journey for me over at least the last month, and I've put all the metaphysical ooey-gooeyness into a simple equation:
Big Dreams + Trusting the Universe + Joyful Action - Attachment or Expectation= BLISS. Need some help with this? Sign up for TUT!
5. Visualization Techniques. Dallas is a big proponent of Evening Visualization--getting REALLY CLEAR visions of your ideal gig as you nod off to sleep; imagining where you are, what you're wearing, who you're talking to, etc. I love this, and when I do it, I dream of it all night! The idea is that your subconscious absorbs this information as truth, and it becomes more true and attainable for you. Another exercise I love is writing bhavanas--writting a journal entry or letter 6 months in advance, detailing your life and how everything has come into fruition. :)
6. Listen to these. I'm part of a podcast called Manifesting Mastermind, and we meet weekly to talk about positivity, trusting The Universe and pursuing your dreams!
Dianna, I wish you MUCH happiness and positivity with these! Readers, what other tools do you use? What here has worked for you; what's come up short? Please share with me! Comments, FB, Twitter! :D
Ahoy, Mateys!
Jen