You've heard that everything is energy. I don't get the science that well but it is clear that feeling higher energy makes you attractive, or even magnetic, while negative energy brings you, and everyone around you, down. People are always asking me how I stay so positive or how do I keep my energy so high. One big factor is that I sleep well at night. Here are 9 things to keep the winds in your sails, so you keep moving forward. (Remember it's a process, Aristotle said excellence was the sum total of your habits, not a one-time event.)

9 Insanely-Fantastic Groove Keepers 

These are all backed by boatloads of research I've read and shared. But I'm not going to cite it here.

1. Commit yourself to living at a higher energy level.

I think this is what Einstein had in mind when he said, "Problems can't be solved with the same levell of thinking that created those problems." 

First you have to realize that energy permeates everything and that you, yes YOU, impact the energy around you. (Heartmath Institute has research on this.) Then you want to accept that choosing to experience more positive energy makes your life (and your community) better. Think about it.

You don't have to be obnoxiously enthusiastic all the time, constantly gushing. People will find you annoying enough if you don't join their "isn't the ____________ the worst ever" conversation.

2. Interpret EVERYTHING from a growth mindset.

Remember a growth mindset means you know that you can learn anything you set your mind to and that your actual achievement potential is unknown, even unknowable. If you have a growth mindset you're looking for constant improvement in yourself, not perfection. 

That doesn't mean that you have to deny all the annoying things that happen in a day, it's a matter of acknowledging the pain, and choosing to smile and work through it.

Look for the upside (at the very minimum there's something to learn) and you will find it. Believe, it takes a commitment to follow through on this. If you're having trouble, share your "incident" with someone and ask them to point out the upside. That person will find so many advantages that you'll be sorry you asked.

My favorite trick when it feels like I've been blindsided by something, is to tell myself to go into neutral. I know part of my mind will get more angry if I try to be Miss Positive when stuff hits the fan. But once I go into neutral, then a more positive outlook is almost there.

3. Feed your mind good nutrition. 

Be careful with media consumption. Fear sells advertising!

Seth Godin's blog is fabulous. My dream is to get to work with the man somehow. He is truly brilliant, kind and classy. His book, Linchpins, made me cry when he wrote about exceptional teachers who don't fit the organizational mold.

Subscribing to Mixonian Insititue blog is also a great idea. Just enter your email under my glam photo up there.

Another way I do this is with my Kindle, recent a gift from my son (another bookworm in the family.) My current favorite Kindle read is "9 Things Successful People Do Differently" by Heidi Grant-Halvorson, PhD.

I take my Kindle everywhere, and read it when there's any break in the day. It's probably more helpful to have great recordings on your Ipod or mp3 player.

4. Take personal time out.

Take vacations of course. But take time out during regular work weeks too. Look for ways to find a bit a time here and there, not to do MORE work, but just to do nothing.

Don't accumulate your PTO even if you're having that much fun on your job. A change of scenery is always beneficial.

5. Laugh.

If you can't laugh right now, then smile.

Spend more time with people who make you laugh (or you could go to youtube for this.) In any case, smiling raises your own energy level and that of those who see you.

6. Eat well (but not too much!)

I finally accepted the fact that my current business schedule does not always allow me time to eat a proper lunch. Part of my solution to that is... Larabars. They are delicious, nutricious and yes, they make me feel ambitious. They're made with dried fruits and nuts and contain nothing artificial. They're vegan, wheat-free, kosher and yummy. My favorite flavor so far is "cherry pie."

I had the best salad ever while in Washington, D. C. recently. It was the pear apple salad at Matchbox in Chinatown, Washington, DC. It also has cranberries, blue cheese and walnuts.They also have a great house Merlot so if you go there, ask what label it is because I forgot to :)

7. Keep up your exercise. Do more of it.

Movement helps process emotions. 

If you swim, you probably know about SwimOutlet.com.

8. Take care of some pending loose ends. One at a time.

Clean out something. Fix something. Throw something away. Have that conversation. Write that thank-you note.

9. Be more curious.

An attitude of curiosity helps keep your mind in flow. One mentor taught me to think "Now that's fascinating" when I'm tempting to think, "Well, that's stupid!)

BONUS for ladies only! Birchbox. it's a treat each month and you get to try all kinds of new products without dealing with the malls. I subscribed 6 months ago and would not even think about not re-subscribing next summer! (This has nothing to do with my vanity and everything with positive energy!)

What do you do to discipline your thinking? Please share by commenting below.