What Is a Positive Mindset Made Of?

Ok, so we know that a positive mindset is all about having positive thoughts, but what kinds of positive thoughts make up a positive mindset? One way to think about the different types of thoughts that make up a positive mindset is to think about time frames. For example, we can think about past-focused, present-focused, and future-focused thoughts (Quoidbach, Mikolajczak, & Gross, 2015). Here are some examples:

• Past-focused positive mindset. This involves thinking about the past positively. For example, we might express gratitude, savor the good moments, and reminisce.
• Present-focused positive mindset. This involves focusing our attention on what’s currently good and reframing difficult situations in a more positive light.
• Future-focused positive mindset. This involves things like optimism and positive expectations.

Another way to think about the parts of a positive mindset is to think about self- versus other-focus.
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• Self-focused positive mindset. This involves things like positive self-esteem, self-love, and self-confidence. It’s about paying attention to your positive qualities and strengths.
• Other-focused positive mindset. This involves things like kind thoughts, trust, and empathy. It’s about paying attention to the positive things in others.

Now that you have a better idea of what positive mindset is made of, let’s talk about how to develop this mindset.