People with a positive outlook on life usually share these 9 traits

We all know someone that’s incredibly positive. No matter what life throws at them, they always seem to look on the bright side.

What’s their secret?

No, it’s not a magic pair of rose-tinted glasses!

In fact, what if I told you that positivity just comes naturally to some people? And there are certain traits that these glass-is-half-full types all have in common.

Here’s the good news.

By understanding what makes positive people tick, you too can start embracing the optimism and become more positive yourself.

So here are 9 traits commonly found in people that have an extremely positive outlook on life.

1) Tough cookies that always bounce back

Whether you’ve just gone through a messy breakup, had a loved one pass away, or missed out on that dream job interview, remember this:

You can’t control what happened, but you can control how you react.

Positive people realize this and are astonishingly resilient. They’re able to recover quickly from difficult situations by focusing on the present and not worrying about the past (which is totally out of their control).

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Look forwards, not back.

2) Thankful for what they have

From the latest iPhone or designer jacket to a brand new Tesla or even a seaside villa, there are endless things on our Christmas list.

Especially in this consumer-driven world we live in.

But positive people have learned to look at what they HAVE, not what they want. And demonstrate amazing gratitude every single day.

Remember, you have food, water, shelter, and people that care for you. 

Sure, it’s okay to be ambitious.

But also appreciate the simple things in life and understand you’re extremely lucky to even be alive.

3) Open to new ideas and experiences

They say that travel broadens the mind.

Seeing different cultures, languages, and food makes you realize that there are almost infinite possibilities out there.

But you don’t need to actually travel to understand this.

People that have a positive outlook on life can naturally grasp this concept. They are unusually open-minded individuals and always willing to learn from interesting new perspectives.

This allows them to be comfortable in any situation and find new ways of life that suit their personality.

I think we can all agree that cheese pizza is delicious!

But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try other cuisines. Balut anyone? (This traditional Philipino dish consists of a fertilized duck egg, boiled alive, then eaten directly from the shell with salt and vinegar).

4) Treat others with respect

Positive and optimistic people are usually kind-hearted.

They have no problem helping others and regularly demonstrate compassion and empathy.

They follow the golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Meaning, always treat people how you would like to be treated yourself.

This is actually a superpower.

It not only benefits others but also contributes to your own sense of well-being. Not to mention, being kind is incredibly contagious and will help you forge lasting relationships.

5) Embrace the grind

When you start climbing the mountain, you can’t see the summit.

Naturally positive people ‘get’ this.

They don’t give up easily and have ridiculous stamina even when they can’t see the finish line. They understand that all they have to do is keep moving and eventually the path will become clear.

Being too focused on the end goal can make things difficult. You may become overwhelmed by the enormous task ahead of you. Pessimism and negativity can rear its ugly head.

So instead, focus on your trajectory.

As long as you’re heading in the right direction, you’ll get there eventually! Keep going.

6) Gravitate towards positive environments

Does the urban view from your window deflate you?

Well, it’s no surprise – your environment and surroundings have a huge influence on your mindset.

It’s therefore paramount that you position yourself where you feel most comfortable to foster positive vibes.

And I don’t just mean your physical location.

Toxic relationships and negative individuals can also crush your optimistic outlook. So don’t be afraid to cut ties with people or take drastic action to improve things.

I get it – sometimes it isn’t that simple.

But do what you can to move towards a better environment for yourself. Even taking weekly hikes in nature or finding positive like-minded friends online can have an amazing impact on your outlook.

7) Great sense of humor

People with a positive life outlook are masters of humor!

Whether they use humor to diffuse tension or find happiness in seemingly terrible situations, it helps them effectively navigate life’s ups and downs.

And if you’ve ever heard the expression “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry”, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

There’s some science behind it too.

Studies have shown that the simple action of smiling can literally make you feel happier.

So when life doesn’t go according to plan, try to find the funny side (as long as you don’t take it too far, like a certain DC Comics supervillain!)

8) Focus on strengths

Fish are great swimmers, but not-so-great runners.

Don’t be a fish out of water!

If you want to play the game of life on easy mode, you need to do more of what you’re good at.

I’m not saying you can’t learn new things! Just remember it’s a fact that we all have strengths and weaknesses.

For example, an extrovert has no problem speaking to a room of people. But if you’re naturally more reserved this would be your worst nightmare.

Genuinely positive people have learned to lean on their strengths as much as possible. This allows them to thrive and achieve more with less effort.

9) Found a passion in life

This is a tough one and may take time. And identifying your strengths is usually the first step.

But it’s generally true.

The happiest and most positive people in the world have discovered their passion or purpose in life. 

That’s not all. They’re also lucky enough to work in the field. They’re doing what they love most on a daily basis and actually getting paid for it.

What a dream situation!

If you’re yet to discover what really gets you out of bed in the morning, don’t worry.

Make a list of what you enjoy doing. Specifically, think about those moments when time flies by when you’re present and in the moment.

Whether it’s caring for animals, playing video games, learning new languages, or something new you haven’t tried before. 

The world is full of endless possibilities so keep searching.