Adopt the ‘That’s Good!’ Habit
Shift Your Mindset, Embrace Positivity, and Unlock Growth in Every Situation
There’s a powerful habit I want to encourage you to adopt. It’s simple, yet life-changing: the habit of saying, “That’s good!”. This idea comes from W. Clement Stone, a businessman and philanthropist, who believed in the power of positive thinking. He saw that by choosing to focus on the good in every situation, we can completely change our mindset and, in turn, our lives.
No matter what happens in life, there’s always something good to be found. Even in the toughest of situations, if you search hard enough, you’ll find that silver lining. By making a conscious effort to say, “That’s good!” whenever things don’t go as planned, you are training your mind to focus on solutions and positive outcomes. This shift in mindset is what sets successful, happy people apart from those who let negativity take over.
When life throws negativity your way—whether it’s work stress, relationship problems, or personal struggles—remember: there’s always good in every situation. And once you start seeing the good, you’ll notice how much lighter and more positive your daily life becomes.
Why “That’s Good!” Changes Everything
In a world full of stress, uncertainty, and constant challenges, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong. Problems at work, difficult relationships, personal failures—these are all part of life. But the real challenge is how we respond to them. What if, instead of focusing on the negatives, you made it a habit to look for the good?
By saying “That’s good!”, you force yourself to change your perspective. Rather than seeing a problem as something to dread or avoid, you begin to see it as an opportunity for growth. Each challenge becomes a stepping stone, something that pushes you to improve, learn, and adapt. Instead of feeling stuck, you start seeing a way forward.
The habit of saying “That’s good!” is not about ignoring reality or pretending that bad things don’t exist. It’s about acknowledging challenges while choosing to focus on the positives. Life will always present difficult situations, but you have the power to decide how you’ll react. Will you dwell on the negatives, or will you find the good and grow from it?
Here’s an example: Imagine you didn’t get the promotion you’ve been working hard for. It’s disappointing, right? Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “This is unfair,” try saying, “That’s good! Now I have time to develop my skills further and aim for an even better opportunity!” This shift in perspective can help you move forward instead of feeling stuck.
This habit, when practiced daily, helps you develop resilience. You become better at facing challenges because you know there’s always something good waiting to be discovered. The more you practice it, the easier it becomes to spot the silver linings in life’s toughest moments.
Your Perception is Everything
There’s another crucial truth to understand: you are the only problem you’ll ever have, and you’re also the solution. Let that sink in for a moment. When we face difficulties, it’s natural to look outside ourselves for reasons why things aren’t going well. We blame external factors—the government, the economy, the pandemic, or even the people closest to us.
But here’s the reality: the problem isn’t out there, it’s within. It’s our perception of the problem that creates most of the stress and frustration we feel. The same situation could be seen in completely different ways by two people. One might view a setback as a failure, while the other sees it as an opportunity for growth. What’s the difference? Their perception.
The truth is, the way you perceive the world directly shapes your experience. When you change how you look at a situation, the situation itself changes. This means that when you start practicing the “That’s good!” habit, you’re retraining your mind to focus on the positive aspects of every experience.
Here’s a great example: let’s say your partner forgot to pick up groceries on their way home. It’s easy to get frustrated and say, “Why are they so unreliable?” But what if you shifted your perspective and said, “That’s good! Now we have a chance to try that new restaurant we’ve been meaning to visit.” This simple change in perception turns a negative situation into a positive experience.
The more you do this, the more you realize that your perception holds all the power. Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances, you start to see yourself as the one in control. You are the one who gets to decide how you feel, how you react, and how you move forward.
There is Good in Everything
One of the most liberating realizations is this: there is good in everything. It may not always be obvious at first, but every situation—no matter how challenging—contains something positive. The key is to actively look for it, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you.
We often hear the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason,” but the truth is, it’s up to us to find that reason. Every challenge, failure, or setback carries a lesson, an opportunity for growth. The sooner you start looking for the good, the faster you’ll move through tough times with grace and strength.
Next time something doesn’t go as planned, try asking yourself, “What’s the good in this?” This simple question opens your mind to new possibilities. Maybe you didn’t land the job you wanted, but perhaps that’s because something even better is around the corner. Or maybe a relationship ended, but it taught you valuable lessons about yourself and what you truly want in a partner.
This shift in mindset—searching for the good in every situation—helps you become more resilient, adaptable, and optimistic. It trains your mind to always focus on the silver linings, which in turn keeps your attitude positive and your energy high. When you choose to see the good, life becomes lighter, easier, and more enjoyable.
Remember, it’s not the challenges themselves that define us, but how we respond to them. There’s always something good to be found, and it’s your job to seek it out.
The Power of Positive Attitudes
Maintaining a positive attitude isn’t about ignoring reality or avoiding difficulties. It’s about choosing how you respond to the situations life throws your way. Your attitude is like a lens through which you view the world. When your lens is clouded with negativity, everything seems worse than it actually is. But when your lens is clear and focused on positivity, even the most challenging situations appear more manageable.
Here’s the thing: a positive attitude attracts positive experiences. When you maintain a mindset of optimism and gratitude, you naturally draw in better opportunities, healthier relationships, and more fulfilling experiences. This doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen—they will—but you’ll handle them with more grace and confidence.
One of the best ways to keep your attitude positive is by practicing gratitude daily. When you focus on what’s going well in your life, you shift your mindset away from what’s missing or what’s wrong. Gratitude is a powerful tool for maintaining a positive attitude, and it aligns perfectly with the “That’s good!” habit.
For example, if your plans get canceled last minute, instead of feeling disappointed, say, “That’s good! Now I have extra time to relax and recharge.” This small shift in attitude can have a big impact on how you experience life. Over time, you’ll notice that positivity comes more naturally to you, and you’ll start to attract more of the good things you desire.
The key is to make positivity a habit. It’s not something you can just think about once in a while—it’s something you have to practice every day. When you consistently focus on the good, your entire outlook on life begins to change.
You Are the Solution to Your Problems
One of the most empowering truths in life is that you are the solution to your problems. Often, we look for external factors to blame when things go wrong. We think that if only the world around us would change, then we’d be happy, successful, or fulfilled. But the reality is, it’s not the world that needs to change—it’s us.
When you adopt the “That’s good!” habit, you begin to take full responsibility for your life. You stop waiting for outside circumstances to align perfectly, and you start creating the life you want through your own thoughts, actions, and attitude. This shift in mindset is incredibly freeing because it puts the power back in your hands.
Here’s an example: if you’ve been struggling financially, it’s easy to blame external factors like the economy or your job. But what if you shifted your mindset and said, “That’s good! Now I can learn new skills to improve my financial situation.” This empowers you to take action, rather than waiting for the world to change.
Remember, you have the power to change your life by changing your perception. The more you practice seeing the good, the more you realize that you are the solution to every problem you face. Life isn’t about waiting for everything to fall into place—it’s about creating your own opportunities through the power of positive thinking.
How to Practice the “That’s Good!” Habit Every Day
Adopting the “That’s good!” habit is simple, but it requires practice. Here are some practical steps to help you incorporate this mindset into your daily life:
- Start small: Don’t wait for a major life event to test this habit. Begin by applying it to small, everyday situations. If you spill your coffee, say, “That’s good! Now I can take a moment to slow down and clean up.” The more you practice with small challenges, the easier it becomes to apply this mindset to bigger issues.
- Look for lessons: Every challenge carries a lesson. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Whether it’s patience, resilience, or adaptability, every situation teaches you something valuable. By focusing on the lessons, you shift your mindset from frustration to growth.
- Replace negative thoughts: Catch yourself when you start thinking negatively. When a negative thought pops into your head, stop and say, “That’s good!” This practice rewires your brain to focus on the positive, even in tough situations.
- Practice gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal where you write down three things you’re grateful for every day. This practice reinforces the habit of looking for the good in life. Over time, you’ll notice how much easier it is to maintain a positive attitude.
- Share your positivity: Spread the “That’s good!” habit to those around you. When someone shares a challenge or frustration, help them see the positive side. Positivity is contagious, and the more you share it, the more it comes back to you.
Conclusion: The Power of Your Attitude
In life, your attitude determines everything. The way you perceive situations directly influences how you feel, how you respond, and ultimately, the kind of life you create. By adopting the habit of saying “That’s good!”, you are choosing to focus on the positives in every situation. This habit will not only make you more resilient but will also attract more abundance and joy into your life.
When you stop blaming outside circumstances and start looking within, you’ll realize that you are the solution to every problem you face. Life will always have its challenges, but you have the power to control how you react. And that’s the ultimate freedom.
Start saying “That’s good!” today, and watch how your mindset, attitude, and life transform for the better.
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