How Thinking Differently Can Lead You To Happiness

In 1997, the technology company Apple released a very successful ad campaign with the tagline: “Think Different”. It featured prominent figures who were known to be unconventional. However, as a result of being different from the rest, they are also celebrated because of the advancement they have made to their field or mankind. 

"Think Different" was the tagline of this Apple ad campaign back in the 90's. (source)

There is benefit in thinking differently. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in our own ways of thinking that it leads to conclusions about our lives which may not be entirely true. This may be thoughts about our sense of competency, how others view us, or how much we have in life going for us. This can come in thoughts that sound like "I'm not good enough", "Nobody loves me", "Others think I'm stupid", and so on. How are we to have a different outcome if we keep thinking (and as a result, behaving) in the same way? 

Here is a hot tip to which you can cultivate changes in thinking that leads you to happiness: 
 

Hot tip: Find an alternative explanation

Whenever you have pesky thoughts that is causing you upset feelings, invest some attention to alternative explanations to the situation. For example, when you have a flat tire while on the way to work, you might have the thought "Today is such a bad day!". Take a few minutes off and start thinking about things that are going well for you today, despite the flat tire. "Today is such a bad day, but I'll be able to treat myself to an enjoyable lunch later", "Today is such a bad day, but I was complimented on a job well done earlier", "Today is such a bad day, but the weather has been great". It does put things into perspective, doesn't it? 

Indeed, it does look easier than how it will be like in real life. It can certainly be challenging to think of alternatives, especially when you're fuming through the roof! But as the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day". Similarly, we don't achieve happiness so easily, but we can begin taking steps towards it. And one of the ways to achieve this is to think different.