87 Ways to Instantly Transform Thoughts from Negative to Positive

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Positive thinking sucks!

Positive thinkers suck!

They just seem to always be smiling.

They jump out of bed at 6:00 a.m. singing and you feel like giving them a swift karate chop in the “Vulcan grip” area.

They’re not bad people, but when you ask them the secret to their happiness, you usually get that lame and unactionable answer:

“I’m an optimist. I always keep positive thoughts in my head”

Gag!

That does nothing for you.

When you are stuck in traffic and already 15 minutes late, you are not thinking positively.

When you get home and the house looks like Chuck E. Cheese threw up on it, you most certainly are not looking for the benefits.

There has to be more to it.

Thinking Positively Is Too Hard – What To Do Instead

A hidden trick exists to changing a negative mind immediately.  The following list will reveal it.

Some will improve your health.

Others will increase your wealth.

Some will make you laugh. Some will make you think.

Some will be simple and some will be deep.

Some will make you forget what you were thinking about.

The goal is to get your mind on a whole new route.

Anthony Robbins calls it pattern interrupt.

Negative thinking is a habit. You are not born being a negative thinker.  You had to learn it over the years. Now it becomes a natural response.

I want to break that natural response.  The goal is to shake things up. Stir the pot. Get out of the comfort zone, and any other cliché phrases you can think of.

This post is not the typical post you would normally see on CYT.  I did this purposely.

We can choose to deliberately interrupt our negative thinking patterns by frequently shocking ourselves!

You will have 87 special ways you can immediately interrupt your negative thinking habit before it takes hold on you.

Print it.  Highlight your favorites.  And when you feel like punching someone, instead pull out your trusty list and put one or more into action immediately.

WARNING: May Cause Hysterical Laughter

If you are at work, you may want to read this later. CYT cannot be held accountable for conditions including but not limited to:

  • Laughing out loud
  • Disturbing Co-workers
  • Milk squirting from nose
  • Wetting of pants
  • Falling out of chair
  • Busting a gut

Or

  • Splitting of sides

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

87 Pattern Interrupts For Positive Thinking Habits

  1. Kiss somebody and try to exchange your gum.
  2. Laugh out loud in a public restroom so it echoes.
  3. Eat some candy while waiting in line.
  4. Pet an animal you are afraid of.
  5. Say thank you for anything.
  6. Compliment someone you know needs to hear it.
  7. Slide down a banister.
  8. Plant something.
  9. Sprint as fast as you can like Phoebe Buffay (YouTube it).
  10. Take a silly picture.
  11. Prank someone with a short temper.
  12. Play your favorite song – LOUDLY!
  13. Read a book and tell someone else what you read placing yourself in the story.
  14. Spin until you are dizzy.
  15. Blow bubbles – Gum. Soapy wand. Bathtub (your choice).
  16. Walk in nature.
  17. Watch a funny movie.
  18. Call a friend while running a lawn mower.
  19. Plan a vacation.
  20. Hug someone — preferably a stranger.
  21. Attempt a cartwheel.
  22. Adopt a pet.
  23. Dance naked to Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin to the Oldies.”
  24. Sleep naked on silk sheets.
  25. Swim naked.
  26. Ride a bike naked.
  27. Basically – do anything you would normally do, but naked.
  28. Bake something and pass it out to your neighbors.
  29. Go to the zoo and insist that you must be caged before “IT” happens again on a full moon.
  30. Go to the museum and convince people you have time traveled.
  31. Get a tattoo in an awkward place.
  32. Inhale from a helium balloon and order a pizza.
  33. Watch Sesame Street and play along.
  34. Take a nap on a park bench.
  35. Get a massage.
  36. Jump in a pool fully clothed.
  37. Do push-ups while trying to play the harmonica.
  38. Arm wrestle your neighbor.
  39. Whistle show tunes during your next meeting.
  40. Meditate.
  41. Sing kareo… karioak…carryok…sing in public at a bar.
  42. Buy me something.
  43. Buy yourself something.
  44. Get a giant frozen yogurt bowl and eat without a spoon.
  45. Try on expensive clothes and call everyone “Dahling” in your best I’m-better-than-you-because-I-am-so-glamorous voice.
  46. Test drive a new car and make them buy you lunch. They do it EVERY time!
  47. Let it out – Go in your closet and SCREAAAAM!
  48. Pinch yourself to see if you’re dreaming. If not, give yourself permission to do so freely.
  49. Read anything by Louise L. Hay.
  50. Bowl with your opposite hand and hold a slice of pizza in the other.
  51. Get a manicure – guys and gals!
  52. Walk barefoot in the grass.
  53. Brush your hair – proven to be relaxing.
  54. Play Words With Friends…. WITHOUT CHEATING! You know who you are.
  55. Have a Jam Session – play an instrument with high school buddies.
  56. Skip rocks at the lake. If you’re not near a lake, skip dinner plates at the park.
  57. Reread the popular posts on the right.
  58. Dump negative friends.
  59. Get acupuncture. Have no idea if it works, but I guarantee when they bring out the needles, you will have forgotten all about your troubles.
  60. Watch someone else get acupuncture – better.
  61. Paint something. No brushes. Just hands. Spray paint counts. Just be a fast runner if you have a passion for graffiti.
  62. Listen to ambient sounds – those soft relaxing tones that lower your brain wave frequency.
  63. Go to the pet store and hold something slimy.
  64. Have faith that all is well.
  65. Take a long hot bath.
  66. Turn off your cell phone – miracle drug right there.
  67. Ignore others opinions and start valuing your own.
  68. Overcome a fear – do something you are afraid to do.
  69. Hang out at the library and scream “NORM!” as each person walks in (showing my age again).
  70. Break something — cheap.
  71. Go through a drive-thru and order for here.
  72. Challenge your negative thoughts for validity.
  73. Get a black light and scan your bedroom like you are on CSI.
  74. Look for something to be grateful for right this minute.
  75. Spend time alone – but do it with friends, family and strangers.
  76. Get a facial with all the fixin’s – mud mask, fancy cucumbers on your eyes, a margarita, the works.
  77. SMILE =-) – Neurological changes happen in the brain just by smiling.
  78. Put the past in the past – Hakuna Matata.
  79. Learn EFT – The in-home acupuncture kit… without the needles.
  80. Climb a tree.
  81. Go to your happy place.
  82. Help a stranger.
  83. Write in your journal about your life as seen by your 3rd grade teacher.
  84. Have a glass of Chianti — at 9:00 a.m.
  85. Know there is no such thing as failure – only giving up.
  86. Subscribe to the CYT newsletter.
  87. Email me and I will personally send you more!

What To Do Next

Emotions can easily get the best of you.

But letting go, getting silly and purposefully feeling good is a lot more fun.

This little list has no power if you do not use it.

You can create your own list and I would highly recommend it.

You do not have to be a victim to your negative thinking habits. Now that you know how they work, destroy them.

They do not serve you or anyone else.

I could sum it all in 6 words:

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.

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Filed Under: Consciousness, Guest Authors, Tips for a better life Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
About P. James Holland

Coach Comeback (@CoachComeback) has been through your worst nightmare and lost EVERYTHING! Hear how he and 14 others applied CPR For Your Life and made a complete life reinvention in less than 30 days and how you can too here: The 30 Day Comeback

Comments

  1. Jane Robinson - Art Epicurean says:
    December 23, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    James – you got me laughing inside and out. Loooove the list. I have done many of them, plan on doing others and some no way! Your humor and insight on this topic is wonderful!! This a wondeful way to distract a grumpy, pouting child as well. Thanks.
    Jane Robinson – Art Epicurean recently posted..Your creative soul – your birthright

    Reply
  2. Flora Morris Brown says:
    December 22, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Hi there Coach,

    Congratulations on getting your post published here.

    Thanks for the great pattern interrupts.

    I confess that I’ve done almost all the bold ones, and a few of the others.

    It’s absolutely true that even just smiling for no reason can change your mood. It’ll also make others curious about what brought on that smile. Tee hee.
    Flora Morris Brown recently posted..7 Great Gift Ideas for Writers and Bookworms

    Reply
  3. Kesha Brown says:
    December 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    James, DUUUUDDE, this is some good ish here! Yes, on some of these I am LOL and others I am gonna do once and for all (like slide down a banister…I have ALWAYS wanted to do that!!). Now I just gotta find someone who has one still versus the “wall” type I have as you go down the stairs…

    Nice! Sharing all over the place! :-)
    Kesha Brown recently posted..Uncommon Holiday Fun: Virtual Gift Exchange

    Reply
  4. Alice Musoke says:
    December 18, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Hello Steve,

    What a great post! Oh my God, since started reading it, I have been laughing and they are wondering what is wrong. Truly speaking , these 67 ways are what thinking positively is all about, we can do the impossible. This is interesting, educative and good for laughs
    Alice Musoke recently posted..You can be an excellent Receptionist.

    Reply
  5. Jorge Blanco says:
    December 17, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    This was a wonderful read! It really did make me laugh. I love the tip on blowing bubbles. I never thought of that. That now goes to my how to be positive list: do something you loved as a kid (like blowing bubbles). Thanks. :)
    Jorge Blanco recently posted..Things to Do Before the End of the World

    Reply
  6. Tania Belkin says:
    December 17, 2012 at 12:52 am

    Nice post P. James,

    I also like ‘Smile’ the best :)

    Reply
  7. Melissa Curran says:
    December 16, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Love this list – # 58 and # 84 really trip my trigger. Loved every one of them – thanks for giving me a different thought process! Merry Christmas! ;)
    Melissa Curran recently posted..Face Your Fears

    Reply
  8. Amit Amin says:
    December 16, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    “Ride a bike naked.”

    Um…what? We’re trying to transform negative to positive, not land people in jail :)
    Amit Amin recently posted..Money Secret #2: Anticipate As If You’re Going to Kiss Mila Kunis

    Reply
  9. Vidya Sury says:
    December 16, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Coach Comeback! I love that! James, I think I just fell in love with you. I’ve done many of those things you’ve listed and yes, they work. Because, you see, I am one of those people who jump outta bed at 5.30 am singing!

    Great post!
    Vidya Sury recently posted..Healthy Child, Happy Child

    Reply
    • Coach Comeback says:
      December 16, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      HA! Well that made my morning Vidya lol =) Thank you for more proof that this works.

      Was it something you learned, practiced over and over until it became a habit or did you grow up in a house of other morning people? I need to know your secret because no matter how positive I don’t think 5:30 am and I can ever be friends.
      Coach Comeback recently posted..Mental toughness and fitness: How are they related to each other?

      Reply
      • Vidya Sury says:
        December 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm

        James – Ah, I wish I had something absolutely groundbreaking to share – but yes, I grew up in a house of morning people. The earliest riser was a 4.00 am-er – but then they were in bed by 9 pm…taking the early to bed early to rise quite literally and seriously. As South Indians from India, it was a ritual to be up early, light the lamp, clean the front porch and draw “rangoli” (a design) to welcome the Goddess of Wealth into the house. Each person had an assigned duty in the morning, based on age and it all went like clockwork. Those were charming days.

        Today, 5.30 am is a breeze for me, thanks to that. And I also realize the joy of extending my day by starting early and getting lots more done.

        When you visit India, I promise you no.42

        No.77 always gets me through my day happily!

        Cheers! Vidya
        Vidya Sury recently posted..Of Cakes And Personal Development

        Reply
        • Coach Comeback says:
          December 18, 2012 at 10:45 pm

          What a wonderful visual you just gave me. I am grateful for that. You are so sweet Vidya. I absolutely LOVE traveling and I plan on making that way soon! =) I plan on making it a habit as well. The times I have been up that early I feel like I got soooo much more done.

          But I am also a late night person. SO I may sleep until 9am but I usually do not go to bed until well after midnight. So my morning production time is actually 10-1am when everyone is sleep. lol But I plan on shifting that to get back inline with my Kapha Dosha. Stay in touch.
          Coach Comeback recently posted..Mental toughness and fitness: How are they related to each other?

          Reply
  10. savleena says:
    December 16, 2012 at 7:17 am

    Hey,

    Amazing list and I am sure its def going to help lot more individuals.Surely going to try few things…..
    Thx
    Savleena

    Reply
  11. Dennis Do says:
    December 15, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    I think having a happy place is real important, as corny as that sound to some people.

    I also like this time in season, where we have Christmas and the New Years coming up… I feel extra jolly for some reason lol.
    Dennis Do recently posted..Feel Like Life is Meaningless? Then Read This

    Reply
  12. Priska says:
    December 15, 2012 at 5:33 am

    I’d forgotten about the pattern interrupt technique. Might just be what I need to get my blogging mojo back.
    Priska recently posted..Blogging Boomers are Blooming.

    Reply
    • Coach Comeback says:
      December 16, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      I am with you Priska! A list like this should DEFINITELY be kept around the workstation. We bloggers can get so wrapped up on our work and get tunnel vision. Need to break up that monotany at regular intervals or we will start to get cabin fever. I crave human contact and interacting with people so sometimes a quick 10 minute jump over to my favorite forum or writing at a local coffee shop is what works best for me to mix it up. Heck, I need to be reminded myself. We have to stick together, eh? =)
      Coach Comeback recently posted..Mental toughness and fitness: How are they related to each other?

      Reply
  13. Chris Swenson says:
    December 15, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Wow quite the exhaustive list! I really enjoyed the list, in fact, I noticed as I was reading the list I was able to change my thoughts and state of mind!

    I plan to use this list as suggestions for a number of consumers who I see in counseling sessions as ways to interrupt and distract from negativity! I hope that is fine with you (I will give you credit for sure!)?

    Interrupting our emotional patterns can be difficult but, is possible. Having a handy list like this greatly helps.
    Chris Swenson recently posted..How to Save Your School $237,790

    Reply
  14. Roman Soluk says:
    December 14, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    I’m an optimist and becoming an optimist was a complicated thing for me. I wasn’t born a positive thinker.
    But your tips here are truly easy to implement and they are very optimistic themselves.

    Thanks a lot for them!
    Roman Soluk recently posted..How to Explain Disabilities to Your Child

    Reply
  15. Joel Zaslofsky says:
    December 14, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Slide down a banister?! It’s going to have to be a long one since I’m 6’6″ and enjoy a ride that lasts more than a second.

    I’m positive I can find one though. I’m just an optimistic kind of guy. ;)

    P.S. When you find yourself stuck in traffic and already 15 minutes late, read Zen Habits when you get home. Remember the intention behind the reason you’re driving to wherever it is you’re going and a smile can be found in bumper-to-bumper traffic too.
    Joel Zaslofsky recently posted..SASM 011 – Becoming an Accidental Daily Money Manager with Jen Koontz

    Reply
  16. Lori Lynn Smith says:
    December 14, 2012 at 7:33 am

    oh what fun, A super list!
    Lori Lynn Smith recently posted..Do you go insane during the holidays?

    Reply
  17. Steven Aitchison says:
    December 14, 2012 at 7:11 am

    Hey PJ

    Welcome to CYT, it’s great to have you writing for us.

    Thanks for a brilliant post. I’ve read it a few times now and it still makes me laugh :) , I knew the CYT readers would love this.

    Take care buddy

    Reply
  18. Ani says:
    December 14, 2012 at 6:05 am

    I read it this morning and it made my day! Will definitely keep my good moood till the evening, Thanx James :)
    Ani recently posted..The Value of Your Money: And How To Spend It Too

    Reply
  19. Jovell says:
    December 14, 2012 at 1:47 am

    I’ll definitely try #76 and 77 but not #4…Thanks for the tips and just reading them took out the frown on my face already :)
    Jovell recently posted..Business Owners Need Inspiration Too! 10 Quotes To Perk You Up!

    Reply
    • Coach Comeback says:
      December 14, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Jovell, you absolutely MUST try number 4. Sometimes, just thinking about taking on a major fear is enough to snap you out of the mental state you are in.

      The mind is a powerful weapon when use properly. Notice how right now, as you are reading this, remember the last time someone tickled you, I mean, REALLY tickled you, until you were screaming and felt like you lost total control of your limbs, … your heart rate may have started to elevate and you are possibly even smiling right now =)

      So please consider #4 for now. Baby steps. Although I have seen this one backfire so I must tell you… DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS ON AN AFRICAN SAFARI OR ANYWHERE THERE COULD BE JELLYFISH! Learned that one from Nemo
      Coach Comeback recently posted..Mental toughness and fitness: How are they related to each other?

      Reply
  20. Bobbi Emel says:
    December 13, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Cute, James!
    Bobbi Emel recently posted..On pain, tolerance, and why there are no bullet points

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  21. Tom Southern says:
    December 13, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Great examples! It all come down to widening your experiences and pushing yourself further a little every day. Your examples remind us that when we don’t think of doing something new, something a little different or something that feels a little scary, we narrow our lives. We become habits.

    Not only that, when we do little wild things, or little thoughtful things, we’re robbing ourselves of great memories.

    Cheers P James!

    Reply
  22. Dave Rowley says:
    December 13, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    Thanks James! (#5 -Say thank you for anything.)

    My Milk through nose moment? #71

    My takeaway? switch it up, Dave! and have fun.

    Great read, James

    Cheers!
    Dave Rowley recently posted..noticing notes: shift and return

    Reply
  23. Megan says:
    December 13, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    Great list!

    I really like the mix of hilarious oddity and doing nice things for other people.

    The next time I am feeling blue I will try and convince my husband to get acupuncture. Possibly naked. ;-)

    Reply
  24. Chela Garcia says:
    December 13, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Thank you for the warning! I did laugh a lot and enjoyed this read! My favorite was number 56… I will refer to this list when needed. Thanks again!

    Reply
  25. Ryan says:
    December 13, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    I use the pattern interrupt technique on a daily basis in my life. It is incredibly powerful once you understand it. It especially works great on my three year old son during temper tantrums.
    Ryan recently posted..Coping with Past Conflicts

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  26. Kevin Martin says:
    December 13, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Sometimes when I begin to think negatively, I simply swap out my bad thoughts with thoughts of achievement and a better future and that usually helps me.
    Kevin Martin recently posted..Going Forward For Four

    Reply
  27. Justin says:
    December 13, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Very Good P. James. I learned about pattern interrupts when I first listened to Tony Robbins Personal Power 2 program. Before that I did not realize that I could change my negative states by merely interrupting the unconscious pattern.

    I remember Tony stating that depressed patients were able to change their state by simply smiling in a mirror for no reason several times a day.

    Take care.
    Justin recently posted..Read This if You Want to Survive 2012

    Reply

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  1. Need some mood changers? says:
    December 14, 2012 at 8:55 pm

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