Photo by Sebastian Arie Voortman from Pexels We are always seeking external sources of happiness, yet we often overlook the amazing resource we have inside ourselves - our attitude! The connection between having a happy attitude and having a favorable result may seem obvious, yet many of us do not take the time or make the effort to properly apply this approach to many parts of life. It seems to be straightforward, doesn't it? "Just stay upbeat!" When presented with a dilemma, we've all heard this before. However, it is not always that straightforward. It takes work to maintain a continuously happy outlook. It is nearly as important to prevent bad energy as it is to create good energy. And, with so many self-improvement approaches and methods available, it's easy to get overwhelmed when deciding where to begin. So, let's take it slow and look at five fast and easy strategies you can put into action right away:

1. Make use of affirmations

Optimistic affirmations are brief, positive sentences that you may repeat to yourself or put notecards around where you will see them on a regular basis. They should be positive, in the current tense, and explain what you want. They are simpler to remember and repeat when they are succinct. Try telling yourself things like, "I'm alive and well" or "today is going to be a terrific day!" It sounds too easy, doesn't it? You'd be shocked at how successful this technique is in generating good energy.

2. Remind yourself to concentrate on the positive aspects of life, no matter how little they may be

Attaching thought triggers to products you use every day might help you remember what makes you happy. For example, you could change your phone wallpaper to evoke a memory of a specific location, place a sticker on your water bottle to remind you of your favorite hobby, wear a bracelet given to you by your best friend, or even change the password you use every day to something that reminds you of something you are grateful for. Small triggers like these might add up over the course of a day and have an impact.

3. Do something kind for someone else

Don't wait for someone else to brighten your day. Instead, take the initiative and create a happy moment for someone else. You'll probably discover that doing pleasant things for others may be just as rewarding as having someone do something kind for you. It also does not have to be magnificent. Simply making a pleasant gesture to someone else as you walk by might boost your mood. Because grins are now obscured by masks, try waving, nodding, or just saying "hello" to a stranger. (This year, we're all going to become better at smiling with our eyes!)

4. Concentrate on the current time

We often let unfavorable recollections from the past influence our present thinking. Or we allow fear about the future to influence how we think about the present. Remove your emphasis from the past and future and concentrate on what you can manage right now. Keep in mind that nothing ever occurs in the past or future. Things occur in the present. If you don't allow stress about other things to get in the way, any moment you're in, no matter how tiny or apparently trivial, may be a wonderful one. If you concentrate on your current circumstances and what is impacting you right now, you may discover how insignificant some of the things you have been worried about are.

5. Surround yourself with individuals who are upbeat

You've probably heard the cliché "we become the average of the five people we surround ourselves with," or something along those lines. While it is risky to draw such firm conclusions about your own character based on who your friends are, we can still utilize this idea as a guide to help us establish better surroundings in which to thrive. Consider this: Does this individual encourage and support you? Or do they make fun of me to make themselves feel better? Sometimes the solution is more difficult to find than you would think. Seek individuals who will encourage and support you, and then reciprocate. The more positive views and outlooks you hear from individuals around you, the more likely your methods of thinking will be influenced.

Even if you can't implement all of these suggestions right now, attempt one or two. Positivity tends to build up over time. Consider each little action you take toward transforming your perspective as a drop of gasoline in your tank. Even if it isn't completely filled, it will get you where you need to go.