The practice of positive thinking compels people to concentrate on their accomplishments and strengths which, in turn, leads to an increase in motivation producing greater happiness. Positive thinkers spend a greater amount of time growing and less time feeling depressed and immobile. Here are some practical tips to follow that can be used to help develop more positive thinking including:

1.  Looking Out For Number One
In order to think clearly and positively, you need to make sure that you are eating well, properly exercising on an established schedule as well as getting enough rest.

2.   Be Forever Grateful
Whenever faced with the stressful challenges of life, take a moment to remind yourself that most in your life is correct. By setting aside just 60 seconds a day where you stop and appreciate the good things you have is going to make a huge difference toward constant positive thinking.

3.  You Know What Happens When You Assume
Often when a person is not accepted by another person, an assumption is made that you know what people think of you. However, this particular paranoia is not reality. When you believe that a co-worker or friend is in a bad mood because you did something, or you believe that this other person is talking behind your back, the best thing to do is just ask them. Why spend a lot stressful moments worrying about something until you actually know there is something to worry about?

4.  Never Say Never
Positive thinkers typically do not think and speak in absolutes like never or always. Haven’t you heard many times in your life such phrases as, “You ALWAYS do that,” or “You NEVER get that right!”? Stay away from these absolutes because use of them seems to make any situation worse than it really is and also tricks your brain into thinking that particular people are impossible for living up to what you hope they will.

5.  Throw Off Those Negative Thoughts
Unfortunately, everyone has a tendency to make quick judgments about almost everything in life. Sometimes that reaction takes the form of a negative thought. However, positive thinkers will recognize when a negative thought creeps into the process and will toss it away never following it.

6.  Squish Those ANTS
Check out the book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness by Dr. Daniel G. Amen (affiliate link) where he speaks about “ANTS,” Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are those negative thoughts that pop into a person's head that are clearly immediate reactions to certain paranoias such as believing that something is wrong when you get an e-mail that your college professor needs to talk to you. Or, possibly you see your girlfriend talking to another guy and believe that a breakup is imminent. These are those ANTS Dr. Amen refers to his book that need to be crushed whenever they pop up in your life.

7.  Practice Your Hugging Technique
This isn't your father's universe anymore, so you don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize the benefits from providing and receiving a good hug. Everybody experiences an instant “pick-me-up" when receiving a hug and knows any recipient of your hug feels likewise. Even in Waitressing 101, servers realize that touching the arm of a customer when handing a check leads to a higher tip than from diners who do not receive human contact.

Sure the business world has to act according to certain protocol, which is pretty much redefined as relationships are also redefined. However, positive thinkers know that effective interaction leads to a more productive life. Ultimately, it’s a person’s positive thinking coupled with effective human interaction that controls the path you take in life.