It’s sad but true: Americans are becoming overwhelminglypessimistic. And there’s no shortage of studies to prove it.

From reported data citing that a paltry 6 percent of Americansthink the world is getting better to the staggering finding thatmore than two-thirds of Americans think the country is moving inthe wrong direction, all of this negativity is understandablytaking its toll.

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In fact, this rampant pessimism is taking a major toll as stressand depression loom large across the U.S.

The most recent American Psychological Association's Stress inAmerica survey reports over a third of adults are experiencingincreased stress over the previous year, while this year theNational Center for Health Statistics show suicide rates in Americaat a 30-year high.

Even those seemingly dedicated to making positive changes intheir lives systematically fail. For instance, while many lean onNew Year's resolutions in a heartfelt attempt to promote positivelife changes, the chances of realizing success are slim.

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Reports indicate that upwards of 25 percent of people who makeNew Year's resolutions will already have failed at keeping them amere 7 days into January.

As for those who managed to outlast the week and stick it outthe entire year? That number is a dismal 8 percent.

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While the statistics themselves might be depressing, there ishope for those dedicated to making favorable changes.

When put into practice, there are three timeless truths that canhelp people take their focus off their problems in order to leadmore positive and productive lives.

Timeless truth No. 1

The first truth is to “think it.” It is widely believed thatone’s mind has a powerful influence on the physical body — a beliefthat can be traced back to Hippocrates in the fourth century.

Scientific data backs up this connection, which even mainstreammedicine leverages in a variety of treatments, from biofeedback andcognitive behavioral therapy to simple relaxation techniques.

But you can use this connection quite effectively yourself everyday.

To unlock inner greatness at work, at home, in social circlesand with other aspects of your life, you have to maintain atransformational, positivity-oriented mindset that’s also open tochange and adaptation.

The mind has the greatest propensity to enrich our personalgrowth or limit it.

It has the highest potential to advance our life or destroy it.Tame this tool or realize opportunity loss at best or suffer graveconsequences at worst.

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Timeless truth No. 2

The second truth is to “speak it.” Identify the lies andundermining thoughts that play over and over inside your head andreplace them with positive truths about yourself; make a list ofyour favorable attributes, accomplishments, etc.

Go a step further and verbally speak those truths aloud.

This practice of audible affirmations has a powerful, positiveeffect that has been recently scientifically documented by severaluniversity studies.

Research from Carnegie Mellon University substantiated thatself-affirmation “can protect against the damaging effects ofstress on problem-solving performance” and that it “boosts stressedindividuals' problem-solving abilities.”

During this “speak it” exercise, there is no need forrationalization; it is a simple act of focusing on the positivecertainties in your life — about yourself and the world thatimpacts you — to manifest more.

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Timeless truth No. 3

The third truth is to “live it.” The most powerful weapon wehave to transform our mind, and our life, is to not just to thinkand speak these truths, but to live in ways that will serve a causeand effect to actualize and make them a reality.

This is very much the principle at work with the scientificallyvalidated Law of Attraction.

Want to be lose 100 pounds in 6 months? Go to the gymtoday.

Want a raise at work? Invite your boss to lunch this week andget to know him or her on a personal level and share youraspirations. Take some form of “live it” action each and every daytoward your goals, no matter how large or small.

If you find yourself in the grip of pessimism, stress ordepression, turning the tide around and living a positive,productive and rewarding life can seem nearly impossible. However,all it takes is one positive thought to get the ball rolling in theright direction.

With those thoughts leading to audible words, and those wordslead to action creating a cycle of “think it, speak it, live it,”this simple yet powerful technique can truly transport you fromwishful thinking to tangible transition.

When you apply these expert tactics for living life in a waythat promotes positive progression, you will surely be well on yourway to enhanced personal and professional success — no futileresolutions required.

Related: 7 steps to company success in2017

Empowerment pundit Dr. Jeffrey Chapman is a motivationalspeaker. Read his full bio here.