Times are tough. And that means that there are loads of things that can get you down.

Maybe you just opened your 401(k) statement. Or maybe you or a friend or family member got laid off. Or maybe you’re worried about what would happen if it was you.

Despite all the things that can get you down, you need to stay positive. That’s better for you and the people around you. It’s better for your job prospects, too.

Here are some things you can do to stay positive in tough times. Try them and use the ones that work for you.

Connect with family and friends. They’re your best defense against feeling bad. Besides, the people who love you will let you vent in a safe place.

Keep moving forward. Do at least one positive thing every day to make your situation better. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, but it does have to be positive.

Do things that make you feel good. Don’t give up on your little pleasures just because times are tough.

Listen to music that makes you smile. That usually means something upbeat and fun. My favorite “get out of the dumps free” piece is “San Francisco Bay Blues” from Eric Clapton’s acoustic album.

Smile. It sounds hokey, but it’s true. It’s really hard to be down in the dumps when you’re smiling. Don’t smile with just your mouth, though. Smile with your eyes and your mouth will follow.

Take control. That’s the most important thing. Exercising is one of the great ways to take control of part of your life. It gives a dual benefit. You get the benefits of taking control and the benefits of exercise.

There will be hard times in the world and in your life. But you don’t have to be slave to them.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Tools and Strategies for Success. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.