Doors Closed, Doors Open!

A simple exercises to become more positive

This is an exercise for individuals to recognize that a negative event often leaves room for the beginning of something positive.

Additionally, the exercise enables people to develop insight into that which is blocking them from an optimistic outlook when doors close.

Individuals are first instructed to consider a time when a door closed (e.g., a lost job, the end of a relationship, etc.).

They are then asked to consider and write what happened after each event, such as which doors opened and what their lives might have been like if the doors had not closed.

The next step in the exercise is to reflect upon their experiences by responding to a series of 12 questions such as What led to the door closing? What helped you open the new door?

Lastly, individuals are asked to indicate those who helped them to open doors in the past, how this was done, and what they might do to help others.

This simple exercise is a powerful way to promote optimism by seeing the good that often follows a closed door.