Fake it ‘Til You Make It- Practicing Mindset Shifts, Even When You Don’t Want to

We've all heard the phrase "fake it 'til you make it." But what does that mean when we're struggling with our mindset and lacking the confidence to tackle life's challenges? As Christians, we know our true source of strength lies in God, yet sometimes we need practical strategies to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be. In this week's newsletter, we'll explore how the act of "faking it" can become a tool for positive mindset shifts, leading us toward the joy and fulfillment God intends for us. 

Making the decision to overhaul your attitude and be more positive can feel a bit like wearing someone else’s shoes in the beginning. If you’ve been stuck in negativity for a while, it may feel like you’re being insincere when you try to be open-minded, forgiving, or optimistic. That’s normal. Learning new behaviors requires patience, consistency, and time to become second nature.    Here’s how to practice being positive and fake it ‘til you make it-   Require yourself to choose positivity- Be intentional with your decision to be more positive and have a good attitude. When you feel triggered to be negative, remind yourself there is a way to be positive in any situation.    Adopt a ‘servants' heart’ mindset- A servant’s heart refers to the desire to be of service, helpful, and inspiring to everyone. Looking for a way to be of service in situations can help you be more positive and helpful. Rather than waiting to be asked to help or react to a problem, look for ways to jump in beforehand or prevent something negative altogether.    Repeat the Golden Rule- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The golden rule refers to treating others the way you want to be treated, regardless of their shortcomings. Consider how you would want to be treated if you were having a bad day and offer kindness. Consider what would help you if you were suffering or in need and take appropriate action.    Look people in the eye- Non-verbal communication has more impact than the spoken word. Looking people in the eye and smiling can truly melt their heart and win them over. Feeling seen can boost someone’s esteem and make them feel valued. Take the time to look others in the eye when shopping, doing business, or engaging one on one.    Refuse to complain- If you tend to be someone who makes certain everyone knows you feel put out, whether passively or intentionally, it can impact their opinion of you and perpetuate your bad attitude. Don’t allow yourself to complain for one week and see how much better you and the people you deal with feel being in relationship with you. Even if you must pinch yourself to avoid complaining, find a mechanism that keeps you from sharing your negative thoughts.     It takes twenty-one days to create a new habit. If you’re looking to overhaul your attitude, you may have to fake it ‘til you make it for a while. Don’t give up. Every day will get easier and soon you’ll master your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.