Dear Direct Response Letter Subscriber:

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My complaint with many self-help books is that they preach the "power of positive thinking" ... but without telling you how to think positively.

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To correct this flaw, I share with you 7 steps that show you how to think positively — even if you're currently in a negative place.

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#1 Start your day early.

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If you currently start work at 9am, make it 8am or 7am. That way, you get a jump on your tasks for the day. By lunch, you have made a big dent in tackling your priority problems. Result: You feel less stressed and not so pressured.

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#2 Positive affirmations.

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Instead of reading a list of generic positive affirmations from a self-help book, write out half a dozen or so positive affirmations that are specific to you. Because they are personalized, they will help you more than the usual "canned" affirmations.

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#3 Live one day at a time.

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Live for today. Be in the present.

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#4 Don't ruminate about bad things that happened to you in the past.

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The past is like a cancelled check — you can't change it or take it back. So let it go.

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#5 Don't project into the future.

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The future is like a promissory note.

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Don't agonize over things that haven't happened yet. There is no benefit to worrying. So don't do it.

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#6 Take action.

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Do something every day to resolve problems — especially those causing you upset. You'll be energized by having taken concrete steps. Even better, you may actually eliminate the problem.

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#7 Count your blessings.

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Yes, things could be better. But they also could be worse. We all have good and bad things. Focus on what makes you fortunate.

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Sincerely,

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Bob Bly

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P.S. On the TV show Landman, Sam Elliott tells his son:

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"All those problems you're racing home to fix is problems when you get there. And once you solve them, there's a whole new set right behind them. You gotta enjoy the moments between the problems—otherwise, problems is all you'll have."

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