Your mindset plays a very important role in your life. It refers to the attitude you have about your life in general. For example, are you excited about your job or do you dread the thought of having to go to work each day? Are you happy with your accomplishments so far, or do you feel like you got cheated somewhere along the way?

It’s easy to obtain a negative attitude when living in a world filled with distress and hardships. Each new day brings with it new struggles and challenges that you must face, but your attitude has a huge impact on how well you deal with them. Having a negative mindset draws in negative energy that prevents you from truly enjoying life. It also has a profound effect on the people you encounter daily such as your family and co-workers.

Like attracts like.

If your mind is thinking crappy thoughts, then you’re going to attract more crappy things happening in your life.

On the other hand, a positive mindset attracts positive energy that helps to create a calm and peaceful environment for you and everyone around you. You’ll feel better, be happier and may even find that more, exciting opportunities will come your way when you choose to have a positive attitude. Your mindset is a very powerful thing and now is a great time to replace those negative thoughts with positive ones. Sounds easier said than done? Well, look at some ways you can do it.

Here are six easy ways to improve your mindset instantly:

One: Make Time for a Little Quiet Time

Set aside a little time each day to spend a few minutes alone to clear your head and give your mind a break. Some people enjoy getting up early before everyone else wakes up, while others enjoy some quiet time before bed. If you’re really pushed for time, take a short break every chance you get and go somewhere quiet. Spending just five or ten minutes alone several times a day can make a world of difference in how you feel, especially if you’re beginning to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, upset or even angry.

During your quiet time practice deep breathing exercises while you think about something or someplace that makes you feel happy and at peace. When bad or negative thoughts enter your head, simply dismiss them and go back to your happy thoughts. When you’re done, you’ll feel calm, more relax and ready to face the challenges ahead with a more positive mindset.

Two: Be Grateful for the Things You Have

If you’re having problems at work, school or at home, it can be difficult to focus on the good things in your life. It’s so easy to set around and feel sorry for yourself and complain about all the things you don’t have when things go wrong or when you feel misunderstood and neglected. You may even begin questioning why life has to be so hard but that’s not going to make things better.

When negative feelings start to take over your thoughts, shift to a more positive mindset by thinking about all the good things in your life. There is always something to be grateful for such as good health, a loving family, a nice home or a great job. It may even help to carry a small notepad around with you so you can jot down the things you’re grateful for as you think of them. Over time you may end up with a very long list that will help put things in perspective and instantly improve your negative attitude.

Try to write down three things you are grateful for every day. This is a very simple gratitude exercise that has a minimal time commitment. Many people find it to be an easy way to slide into daily gratitude habits.

Three: Engage In Stimulating Conversation

Have you ever noticed how excited you feel when talking to others about subjects that really interest you? You get all happy and your heart rate begins to speed up a little as the excitement sets in. It’s a wonderful feeling that makes you feel like you can accomplish anything in life that you set your sights on.

That’s why engaging in stimulating conversation with family, friends, co-workers and even a friendly stranger can turn a negative attitude into a positive one. Talking about things that make you happy automatically makes you feel good. You begin to have a more positive outlook on life, which improves your overall attitude.

Four: Smile and Do Something Good for Someone Else

Smiling is contagious and it has a way of brightening up everyone’s day, including your own. You just feel better about yourself and everything around you when you smile. It makes it easier to ignore the little things that might normally irritate you and ruin your day. If you’re having trouble putting a smile on your face, do something good for someone else. This always seems to make you smile even if it’s something as simple as opening a door for someone.

Other people also enjoy being around someone that is happy and friendly so smiling can attract more interesting people. This could potentially open new doors for you filled with amazing opportunities and wonderful experiences. So, when those negative thoughts creep in stop, take a deep breath, smile and do something good for someone else. Before long the positive energy will begin to flow all around you.

Five: Be Mindful of Your Vocabulary

The way you speak is just as important as the way you think when it comes to your mindset. How often do you say you can’t do something or catch yourself saying this is going to be a bad day? Negative words and phrases create negative energy. When you use them regularly, you’re inviting negativity into your life. If you say you’re going to have a bad day then most likely something bad will happen because you’re setting yourself up for it.

Switch out that negative vocabulary for a more positive one that will draw in the positive energy and help you achieve your goals. Say this is going to be a wonderful day and tell yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way. A positive vocabulary will empower you, increase your energy levels and get you excited about life.

Six: Keep an Open Mind

If you believe that you can only achieve so much in life then you’re putting limits on your own future. You’re holding yourself back by closing your mind to all sorts of possibilities. You may even begin to feel like what’s the point of trying so hard if your opportunities are so limited. As a result, depression and anxiety are sure to set in.

However, you can instantly improve your mindset by simply being more open-minded. It gives you hope and allows you to dream big so you can learn and grow as an individual. It gives you the motivation needed to make the necessary changes to improve all aspects of your life.

When faced with negativity and toxic situations that breed negative thoughts, use one or more of the tips above to help improve your mindset. A positive attitude will help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential in everything you do so you can live a happier, more productive life.

Being aware of your mindset allows you to be in control of your life. It allows you to choose how you want to live and what you want to achieve instead of just allowing life to pass you by. When you feel negativity creeping in, take a few minutes to replace those thoughts with positive ones. It will make you feel better about yourself and help keep you on the path to success.