by John Assaraf

I am often asked how I stay happy and motivated all the time. The answer has two parts to it; positivity and self-talk.

Many years ago I had a colleague who was forever complaining about everything and everyone in her life. Each day when she arrived at the office, it would start, "you wouldn’t believe this…can you imagine he did that…this will never work, I’m so tired…" and so on. This would go on all day and it would drive everyone in the office nuts!

She was what I like to refer to as a "Psychic Vampire", someone who tries to steal away your great thoughts and energy. Her negative energy would wear you down if you allowed it to penetrate you. The negative ideas that she came up with on a constant basis really affected some of the employees.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVITY

I have made it my absolute law that I do not allow any negative people anywhere near me. I only surround myself with people who are positively charged both mentally and physically. The exchange between us is vibrant and energizing, not depleting.

We are all just made up of energy, and we release and take on energy with every breath and thought. We must be very careful with whom we associate with and with whom we allow into our energy zone.

POSITIVE SELF TALK

The other very important distinction is being aware of my own "self talk".

The chatter in my own mind is even more important than what others say. Keep your thoughts positive. If you find yourself caught up in negative self-talk stop at once and change your internal chatter. You must be aware of the times you aren’t saying or thinking nice thoughts about yourself. You are listening and conditioning your hidden self-image whether or not you are aware of it.

If I ever catch myself talking negatively to myself I immediately change "mental tracks" and say something positive to myself. If something comes up over and over again, I know there’s a deeper challenge I must address. I then go to work on reconditioning my mind with affirmations that are opposite to the negative mental chatter.

For the next seven days become very aware of the people around you, and do not allow any negative energy around you.

Also, be in tune with the mental chatter that goes on in your own head. Stop any negative dialogue that you catch yourself having, and replace it immediately with something positive!