Have you noticed that a lot of the stuff we read, hear, or see isn’t very inspiring? The news focuses on the worst in society and in the world. Gossip focuses on people’s flaws and ‘dirty laundry’. Movies are often based on horrible people, or horrible things. ‘Reality TV’ focuses on the worst in people too.

Do you ever wonder what that sort of negative energy does to all of us? It is actually measurable and it spreads too. Negative gets more negative, and attitude creates your day.

What if you blew that up, and changed a few things? What if you worked on filling your head with some inspirational stuff? Try it for a week and I will bet that you will feel and see a difference in your energy, your attitude, your outlook on life and every single thing around you.

Start here — instead of watching TV that focuses on murder, rape, drama and gossip, watch Canada’s Got Talent, Extreme Home Makeover or The Dog Whisperer. These are shows that focus on what people can do to make a positive change. There are many others too.

You can also watch past video clips on YouTube. Search for ‘Paul Potts’ or ‘Susan Boyle’ and watch the first time they were featured on Britain’s Got Talent. The sheer magic of a regular, normal, unassuming person that has the guts to try a talent show and is discovered as truly unique and amazing.

Try this, every day, open up YouTube and spend just five minutes looking up the following words – inspirational, and then try motivational. Search for ‘Nick Vujicic’ and have your day changed in five minutes. YouTube is pretty cool, because it keeps on showing you more links similar to the last one you just saw.

Another way is by watching positive movies based on true stories. They can be powerful and amazing too. For example, Rudy, Remember the Titans, Coach Carter, We are Marshall, Blind Side, Pursuit of Happyness, Million Dollar Baby, Rocky, Invictus, and so many more. Why are so many based on sports? There is a reason for that, and there is a reason why watching sports can be a positive thing too. Sports can focus on the best of human beings. What are we capable of? What can we do if we put our hearts into it? What happens when we set out to try something hard that requires dedication, sacrifice and hard work? Who we become is literally astounding.

Here’s another trick that I have been working on for the past 12 years, keep a journal of your successes. Each night before bed write down five things that were successes. If five is easy, go for 10. Some days, the successes may flow easily, and some days it might be as simple as ‘brushed my teeth’, and that’s just fine. I’ve had days where I got up from my bed, went out and did some dishes, or moved my shoes into the rack, just so I could reach five successes. Here’s the thing you are building evidence. Evidence of how great you really are, because I am here to tell you that life is over flowing with junk that we really need to tune out.

I’m not saying that we need to pretend the bad stuff isn’t out there, it certainly is, and sometimes we need to deal with it. All I am saying is, that we really could do with some more positive energy.

It’s one of the things I love about working in a gym. I am surrounded all the time by people that are making a positive difference in their lives. They are creating success, creating a positive life and making themselves better. It is one of the most powerful things about a gym, about personal trainers, about group fitness teachers and classes, a gathering of people dedicated to bringing out the best in each other.

Isn’t it time you discovered how awesome you are? Pick one thing from the list and let me know how you did.

Scott McDermott is a personal trainer and owner of Best Body Fitness in Sylvan Lake. He can be reached at 403-887-7667 or check out www.personaltrainersylvanlake.com for more information.