We’ve all been there before — that negative state of mind that deeply impacts your life both personally and professionally. It seems as though you are struggling to get anything accomplished, your relationships are suffering, and ultimately so is your practice. Trying to escape a negative mindset seems impossible, but with the right tools and the right people around you, you can practice good habits to bring more positivity to your life and your chiropractic practice. Here’s where to start.
1. Gratitude list
Whether it is first thing in the morning or before you go to sleep at night, write down at least one thing that you are thankful for. It doesn’t matter how big or small, personal or professional. The point is that when you do this consistently, you begin to focus more on the positive and see the good things that are happening around you, rather than the bad.
2. Acts of kindness
Doing something nice for someone, even the smallest of gestures, not only makes others happy but also adds more positivity to your life. By making acts of kindness a habit, you will encourage those around you to be more positive as well. It could be bringing coffee in for the staff at the practice, paying the toll for the car behind you, or offering a patient a complimentary service as a bonus.
3. Be present
With all of today’s technological advances and stimulation, we are constantly distracted. Whether you’re looking at your phone, smartwatch, or scribbling something into your calendar, we are absolutely engrossed in technology. When you are only focused on the screen in your hand, you miss out on all the positive things going on around you. Being fully present takes practice, and being more aware of what is happening around you will benefit both your personal life and your practice. Practicing mindfulness and meditation for as little as ten minutes a day can improve your awareness and focus on being present.
4. Reduce negative influences
You might not realize it, but the things we hear and see around us have a huge impact on our mindset, both positive and negative. Take a moment and reflect on what you are reading, watching, and listening to throughout the day. When you fill your mind with negativity, it becomes that much easier to focus on the negative aspects of your life. Try putting on a motivational podcast, or even just your favorite feel-good songs. You will also want to avoid negative people, even if that means letting go of a patient or employee. After all, we tend to become like those we spend our time with, so be sure to spend your time with those that lift you up.
5. Spend time to improve YOU.
With all the demands in your life — your family, friends, and a growing chiropractic practice — it’s hard to take the time to prioritize yourself. But how will you become the best version of yourself without taking some “me” time? It’s easy to use excuses that you’re too busy or too tired, so spend time working on yourself first thing in the morning. Make mindfulness, visualization, exercise, reading, or whatever activity will help you a part of your day. Set your alarm just 30 minutes earlier tomorrow morning and start the day by focusing on yourself. You might just find the focus you need.
Having more positivity in your life takes more than positive thinking. Consistently practicing habits that are good for your mental health and adding positive actions to your life will create more fulfillment. For more on how you can improve yourself and your practice, click here for a complimentary coaching call.