10 Powerful Ways To Waylay Negative Thought Patterns !!!
Too much negativity can drag down even the most resilient people. That’s why patterns of negative thinking are so insidious. Over time, they erode our self-confidence until we start second-guessing everything we do.
Heading off negative thought patterns before they can snowball into a self-destructive mindset is the most effective way to handle them. But how can one avoid giving those thoughts the traction they need to take root in the mind?
Here, 10 professionals from Forbes Coaches Council discuss the best ways to halt negative thought processes in their tracks to avoid fueling their fire.
Forbes Coaches Council members discuss ways to stop negative thought patterns.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Name Them And Tame Them
Be aware of them. Name them (“the demon of self-doubt,” for example) and tame them with rational facts that separate fact from fiction. Cite examples of when you previously overcame negative thought patterns. Talk out loud to get negative thoughts out of your head and onto a virtual blackboard for analysis. Create a point-counterpoint dialogue. Give examples of how other people overcome obstacles. - Todd Zaugg, Matrix Achievement Group
2. Generate Hopeful Interpretations
Our minds are practiced at generating negative thoughts, but our hopeful muscle is weak! Stop and write down three possibilities for the scenario you’re worrying about. That could be positive, hopeful reasons why it’s happening, or potentially positive outcomes that may arise from it. By doing so, you can view the situation in a balanced, less emotionally charged way. - Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC
3. See Them As Teachable Moments
Negative thoughts are indigenous to being human. Only when we allow them to dominate our mental landscape do they become detrimental. Negative thoughts are there for a reason. They make us think and slow down when we’re moving too fast. They help us process scenarios before taking action. The next time you have a negative thought, ask it, “What are you here to teach me?” - D Ivan Young, Dr. D Ivan Young
4. Have Confidence Boosters On Hand
It takes practice, but you can stop negative thoughts by confronting them with questions: “Why did I think that?” or “Where did that come from?” Have confidence boosters on hand that you can tap into quickly once the overwhelming negative thoughts start to creep in. These can range from positive affirmations to a profound moment of power when your confidence soared that you are able to recall. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
5. Get Into Your Body
Three years ago, I started having anxiety attacks that felt as if they came out of nowhere. I started swimming and doing cold plunges daily. Ran twice a day. Anything to get out of my head and into my body. It worked like a charm. I quit drinking for eight months. The solution? Get into your body. Exercise. Meditate. You can’t “think” your way out of negative thought patterns. - Mike Koenigs, The Superpower Accelerator
6. Consider The Opposite
One innovative technique I love using with negative thought patterns is to “consider the opposite.” For example, if a client says, “Being young in this role is a disadvantage,” I ask them to look for evidence to support this belief. Then, we flip the phrase to, “Being young is actually an advantage,” and look for evidence to support this new belief. Both viewpoints can be true. So which do you choose to believe? - Gabriella Goddard, Brainsparker Innovation Academy
7. Calm Your Emotions First
Your frontal lobe, which is your rational thought center, cannot operate at the same time as the emotional part of your brain, which is located in the back of your head. Thus, you need to calm your emotions before creating alternative, positive thoughts. To do so, give yourself compassion and validation for what you are experiencing. Take your time. When your emotions start to shift, then create alternative thoughts. - Dan Messinger, Cream of the Crop Leaders
8. Reconnect With Your Big ‘Why’
Negativity and anger are not the result of the situations you are facing but the state of mind you’re in. Priming yourself for more elevated states is your best shot at looking at adversity with a smile. How? Regain connection with your grand vision, with your big “why,” with nature, with purpose. As the saying goes, if you know your “why,” you can bear anything. - Frederic Funck, Center for Creative Leadership
9. Learn More About Habitual Thinking Patterns
The more you become aware of how your mind works, how these habits are formed and what you can do to change, the more you can improve. Just telling yourself to stop won’t necessarily help you successfully change. The more you increase self-understanding related to your brain, unconscious bias and socialization, the more tools you will have to change. - Susan Madsen, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
10. Put A Daily Practice In Place To Quiet The Mind
First, put a daily practice in place that quiets your mind. This could be meditation or doing something that you love, such as tending to your garden or gentle exercise; yoga is perfect. Next, develop your inner coach: a compassionate voice that can objectively challenge the thoughts created by your inner critic. Finally, focus on what you have achieved and log three successes daily. - Mary Gregory, Mary Gregory Ltd.
If you have reached till here , thank you very much for reading this blog. Have a nice day !!!