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At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with each other. But a lot of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This destructive outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.

Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and achievements, which increases happiness and motivation. This, successively, allows us to pass more time gaining progress, and less time feeling down and perplexed. The following tips supply practical suggestions that you can use to help shift into more positive thinking patterns:

1. Take Good Care of Yourself - It’s much easier to be optimistic when you are eating well, working out, and getting plenty of rest.

2. Remind Yourself of the Things You’re Grateful For - Stresses and challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you are unceasingly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking only 60 seconds a day to stop and value the good things will make a huge difference.

3. Look for the Proof Rather Than Making Assumptions - A concern for not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to take for granted that we know what other people are thinking, but our concerns are generally not reality. If you have a concern that an acquaintance or family member’s bad humor is due to something you did, or that your colleagues are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Do not waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.

4. Abstain from Practicing Absolutes - Have you ever told a spouse “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’ makes the situation appear tougher than it is, and programs your mind into believing that certain people are unable to deliver.

5. Detach From Negative Thoughts - Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. Whenever you notice yourself holding a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.

6. Squash the “ANTs” - In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen discusses “ANTs” - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are normally reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be discussing me,” or “The boss would like to talk to me? It must be negative!” When you become aware of these thoughts, realize that they’re nothing more than ANTs and squash them!

7. Practice Lovin’, Touchin’ & Squeezin’ (Your Friends and Family) - You don’t have to be an expert to recognize the benefits of a good hug. Supportive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an fast pick-me-up. One research study about this topic had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She picked up higher tips from these customers than from the ones she did not touch!

8. Increase Your Social Activity - By expanding social activity, you reduce loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, cheerful people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!

9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person - Everyone feels better after assisting. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the universe, the more you will receive in return.

10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination - If you discover yourself ruminating, an excellent way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and push yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It is never productive, because it is not rational or solution-oriented, it is just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outdoors. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or listen to some music.

When it concerns the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the fundamentals of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire path to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they’re uncommon ones and we are human and flawed. To get these little things like stress under our skins won’t solve our problems. Occasionally it takes a bit of courage to admit that we’re turning into workaholics than tell ourselves that we’re not doing our best.

Filed under: Self Improvement