The PrincipleThe Principle

Of Of PositivePositive

The only thing in life you have control over is your perspective.

No matter what happens, YOU control what the No matter what happens, YOU control what the meaning is, and what to do with the meaning you meaning is, and what to do with the meaning you

give to the circumstance.give to the circumstance.

NOT the things you’re not responsible for, that you don’t control and

can do very little about.

But, the things you are responsible for and can control and

can do something about!

When Things Are Beyond Your When Things Are Beyond Your Control, here’s a recipe for Control, here’s a recipe for permanent misery…....... permanent misery….......

a)a) Decide how you think Decide how you think the world SHOULD be. the world SHOULD be.

b) Make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.

Then, when the world doesn’t obey your rules, you get angry!

That’s what miserable people do with the uncontrollable.

You expect that:

Friends SHOULD return favors. People SHOULD appreciate you. Planes SHOULD arrive on time. Everyone SHOULD be honest. Your husband SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable.

But often, these things won’t happen!

So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

a) change the world, or a) change the world, or

It is easier to change It is easier to change our thinking! our thinking!

To become happier, To become happier, we either need to we either need to

b) change our thinking. b) change our thinking.

There’s a better strategy. Focus on the controllable factors. Have less demands. Instead, have preferences!

For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

“I WOULD PREFER AN “A”, BUT IF “B” HAPPENS,

IT’S O.K. TOO!”

This is really a game that you play in your head. It is a shift in attitude, and it

gives you more peace of mind.

IN A NUTSHELL IN A NUTSHELL

It’s not what happens to you that It’s not what happens to you that determines your happiness. determines your happiness.

It’s how you think about It’s how you think about what happens to you. what happens to you.

because those ARE your responsibilities.Those ARE the things

you’re responsible for and can control.

When you think about it, it really comes down toWhen you think about it, it really comes down to

your attitude, your opportunity awareness, your attitude, your opportunity awareness, your self-improvement, your creativity, your values, your your self-improvement, your creativity, your values, your goals, your focus, your disciplined use of time, your sense goals, your focus, your disciplined use of time, your sense

of humor, and your commitment.of humor, and your commitment.

Take a piece of paper and write down the situation. Then draw a line vertically down the

middle and write on both side,

“Things I can control in this

Situation”.

“Things I can’t Control”.

But as you know, it isn’t easy, because almost But as you know, it isn’t easy, because almost every day you’re bombarded with negativity.every day you’re bombarded with negativity.

You get the idea. You get the idea.

Focus on what you can control Focus on what you can control and are responsible for! and are responsible for!

There were natural disasters, business failures, job There were natural disasters, business failures, job layoffs, poor crops, social problems, and government layoffs, poor crops, social problems, and government

debt. I guess some things just don’t change!debt. I guess some things just don’t change!

''Why worryWhy worry? If you've done the ? If you've done the very best you can, worrying won't very best you can, worrying won't

make it any better'make it any better'- Walt Disney- Walt Disney

For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

“I WOULD PREFER AN “A”, BUT IF “B” HAPPENS,

IT’S O.K. TOO!”

You prefer that people are polite ... but You prefer that people are polite ... but when they are rude, you’re o.k. It when they are rude, you’re o.k. It

doesn’t ruin your day. doesn’t ruin your day.

You prefer sunshine ... You prefer sunshine ... but rain is also o.k.!but rain is also o.k.!

You prefer success ... You prefer success ... but failure is o.k., because but failure is o.k., because

you have learned something.you have learned something.

You prefer to get the jobYou prefer to get the jobbut unemployment is o.k., andbut unemployment is o.k., andyou decide to attend twenty you decide to attend twenty

interviews to get the job. interviews to get the job.

You prefer safety …You prefer safety …but you have got accident. but you have got accident.

It is o.k. to be more careful from It is o.k. to be more careful from now on.now on.

You would like to get commission…but you don’t

have customers, so you decide to talk to 50 people to sell one house, car, insurance policy,

idea…

You prefer to have girlfriend …You prefer to have girlfriend …but you are o.k. to be single but you are o.k. to be single because you believe you’rebecause you believe you’re

strong enough to wait for strong enough to wait for what you deserve.what you deserve.

Re-focus on your goals. Remind yourself of the Re-focus on your goals. Remind yourself of the direction you want to be heading. Don’t let direction you want to be heading. Don’t let

anything distract, deter or derail youanything distract, deter or derail youfrom your priorities. from your priorities.

Remember to laugh at yourself. Remember to laugh at yourself. If you don’t, everyone else will! If you don’t, everyone else will! So don’t take yourself seriously, So don’t take yourself seriously,

just take what you DO very seriously. just take what you DO very seriously.

Mother Teresa once said,Mother Teresa once said,

""Spread loveSpread love everywhere  everywhere you goyou go. . Let no one ever come to Let no one ever come to youyou  

without leaving happier." without leaving happier."

You’ll be amazed how much better you feel just by this simple process

of unburdening yourself, TO yourself!

Stop and LISTEN to what’s on your mind. Be your own best friend and give yourself

an empathetic ear.

For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

“I WOULD PREFER AN “A”, BUT IF “B” HAPPENS,

IT’S O.K. TOO!”

Remember Remember The Principle of PositiveThe Principle of Positive

““Life is so short, Just do what the Life is so short, Just do what the fuck makes you happyfuck makes you happy." - ." - Mr. BeanMr. Bean

Thank You Very MuchThank You Very MuchSompong YusoontornSompong Yusoontorn