Welcome to the new year of 2021. I know many of you are as excited as I am for this year to start underway. I am going to share some tips that will help you to keep a positive mindset for the year. Oftentimes, people start the year running and doing all the things they set out to do. However, in just a few weeks/months, that determination and focus are typically lost by the masses. Regardless of what you have set out to accomplish this year, this blog can be a great resource in making sure you stay in the race. I will be sharing ways for you to overcome any situation you find yourself in where you may feel stuck or that you aren’t able to get back up after being knocked down.

Several reasons/factors can cause you to drop out of the race early. Those factors can range from you losing focus, getting tired, or the world knocking you down. Though some of these factors may not be in your total control, you do have the ability to roll with what is given to you. Taking a look at last year and the effect Covid has on the populace of the world, I have noticed a trend in society. That trend is that we have grown accustomed to negativity and its treacherous grip. Looking at the year 2019 alone, I have found that people have lost the ability to be optimistic and brave. Instead, people have become filled with fear and lost hope for the future.

Taking a look back at the early months of 2019 and the first lockdowns, we can see the damage that was caused. Sadly, many people have lost loved ones due to a contagious illness that was not their fault. From all the mandates of mask-wearing to essential workers, we went through the wringer last year. Has that year made you stronger? If yes, then great, but many people chose to remain in place. They passed the blame for their lack of progress due to what was going on in the world. Yes, many people were affected in some way, but with every problem, there is a solution, and many people choose not to look for a solution. They remained helpless and locked away. Filled with fear while watching the news hoping, wishing, and waiting for saving grace.

You are responsible for what happens in your life. Just like I am running my race in life, so are you. I can let the rain stop my progress, or I can acquire the tools, knowledge, and skill to run through that rain safely. That rain is negativity, and it has stopped your progress. All the world’s problems seem to fall on your lap for you to face, but you have to decide to get through them. You have to choose to stop the race or keep going until the finish line. I chose to keep running, and I did that through positive thinking, goal setting, and determination. These three were the main reasons for me to get out on top last year and make the impact I wanted for my life. I did not let the fear of the unknown be a barrier to my life.

None of us knows what tomorrow brings, but what I do know is that whatever comes, I will be there for better or for worse. Positive thinking is something that many people have a hard time believing in. They do not understand that just thinking positively is enough to create opportunities for their growth. I find that when people are told to be positive, they shrug it off and find a reason to be negative. They worry about failure or loss and ignore the sweetest part, success/victory. I know that some dreams and desires might seem out of reach today, but with proper planning, you can attain your wildest dreams. You can finish your race strong and prepare for the next race with even more focus than the previous. You have the power to be great!

Before that greatness is attained by the masses, there needs to be a huge shift in the way society today thinks. I recently did a paid study to find out if a negative post or a positive post would get more attention. To my surprise, the negative post received more attention to the tune of 60% more than the positive one. Is that saying that the majority of the people in society are attracted/favor negative over positive? What I learned is that you cannot shove positivity down someone’s throat and expect them to change their life. They have to want it just as much as you want it for them. I want to be able to help all my clients reach a positive mindset, but for that to happen requires them to want it too.

Along with my positive thoughts and ambitions for my life, I also added specific goals that I wanted to reach. Though I did not hit all my goals for the last year, I came closer than I ever had, not only from a financial standpoint but also from a growth standpoint. I have learned that having my goals written down and somewhere where I could see them helped me to remain on track. It helped me to stay in the race when everyone else was tapping out. I found ways to shift my energy for growth and progress instead of leaving it for another day. The power of positive thinking allowed me to believe that I could achieve my goals. That alone propelled me toward the completion of the many goals I set for the year. This year, I have bigger and more precise goals than ever because that is what I need. I need to be as clear and concise as possible because the world wants to throw more wrenches in the mix, and I already have plenty.

The key to overcoming any obstacle that you may face this year is determination. Now you may find yourself tired, sick, depressed, angry, etc., about the situation you are in, but you are the determining factor in your life. You can choose to get up each time you get knocked down. This past year I saw many people get knocked down and get back up. Those people are an inspiration to me, from all those small businesses to unemployed workers that kept getting the jagged end of the stick and remained primed for their next pivot when they got back up. I know these people were tired, but they were also relentless.

Being relentless is key to maintaining a positive mind and progress toward your goals. This is because the world will constantly try to bring you down. You have to be stronger than your circumstances and find your purpose and reason in life. You have to keep running toward your dreams and your goals until you reach them. When you reach them, I want you to go after bigger or more scary dreams/goals because I know you can attain them. I know you can get back up even if the world is against you. You only need one person to believe in you. All that is left is for you to fortify your mindset on the race ahead. No matter what obstacle you are faced with, you can overcome it.

In closing, to keep a positive mindset this year, you must remain focused on your goals. That focus has to be positive and pinpointed to the completion of your goals. You have to make sure that you do not let failure or obstacles stop you in your tracks. Be sure that you do what is needed to rejuvenate your mind so that it can remain primed for the next mile. This year can be another bumpy one, but that is why we fortify our minds with positivity. Train your mind to be resilient in any turmoil. Victory can be yours as long as you keep going. When you feel like you can’t go on or want to give up, I want you to recite these words, “The race has just begun.” That will refocus your mind and trick it into tapping into its latent potential. You don’t start a race and immediately stop and give up. You try and push until you feel like you are at your limit. Just keep telling your mind that the race has just begun, and push past your limits until you reach the finish line.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven LLC