.png)
Did you know that negative thinking can become a self-fulfilling prophecy? If you consistently believe you will fail, you may not put in the effort required to succeed, thus confirming your negative expectations.
When I started my business I would often have negative thoughts about what I could achieve. I was way out of my comfort zone doing something I had never really done before. I struggled at first as I was focusing more on the negative thoughts, rather than being positive and seeing it as a temporary setback that I would eventually overcome. I would start out all optimistic with a strategy for success, but if I didn't see the results I wanted in a short period of time I would give up and think it just wasn't meant to be. I lacked compassion for myself, and I also lacked the discipline to see things through. I just wanted results and quickly, and I wasn't focusing on the bigger picture (my why).
Positive and negative thinking also links to our mindset. When we are adopting a growth mindset we are open to new ways of doing things, open to experimenting, and learning from our mistakes. But when we have a fixed mindset, we are in survival mode and we can feel stuck and revert back to thoughts of what worked before i.e. maybe this isn't for me and should get a full-time job again.
It is very common for us to focus on the negative thoughts that come up. Our brains are wired this way. Also, negative events tend to elicit stronger responses than positive events do. This is why our brains focus more on the negative information compared to the positive information when we receive feedback from someone. Have you ever had a great feedback session with lots of positive feedback, but the key thing that stands out more than anything is the one negative comment that was made? Tell me about it?!
But there is good news. We can train our brain to think differently. By directing more of our conscious attention toward the positive events and feelings we experience (positive thinking), we can begin to address and change our negativity bias, and it takes practice.
There are definitely lots of benefits for positive thinking, and I will share some strategies for doing that shortly, however, first of all I would like to highlight a few ways persistent negative thinking can impact you:
Chronic stress, which is associated with a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function.
Increased negativity bias, where our brains are wired to pay more attention to and remember negative experiences.
Negative thoughts can be mentally and physically draining. Constantly ruminating on problems and worries can deplete a person's energy and motivation.
Negative thinking is a hallmark of various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders. These conditions often involve persistent negative thought patterns that affect daily functioning.
It really doesn't have to be this way, and by adopting one or two positive thinking strategies could help you gradually turn this around and support you on your journey to achieving your goals and dreams.
Here are some of my favourite positive thinking strategies that I have tried and tested myself:
Identify your negative thought patterns: To help you become more aware of your negative thought patterns, I encourage you to make a note of what negative information is impacting you just lately. This will help increase your self-awareness and identify possible triggers or situations that lead to feeling this way.
Practice cognitive reframing: This one links nicely to the first one. Once you have your list of negative thoughts and feelings, then ask yourself, what can I do to change this feeling and reframe it to feel more positive and constructive? For example, if you are thinking "I can't do this", you could reframe it to say "I don't know how to do this yet". Yet is a very underrated and powerful word full of possibilities.
Gratitude journaling: Try keeping a gratitude journal where you can write down three things you are grateful for each day. This practice helps shift the focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in your life.
Empowerment journaling: Another journaling option could be empowerment journaling. This is where you focus on what you have done well, and what you learned along the way. It can help build your confidence and self-belief. This is something I do weekly for myself. For example, you might ask yourself "What are some of the things you have achieved that at one time seemed extremely difficult?"
Celebrate small wins: Emphasise the importance of celebrating even the smallest victories. Recognising progress, no matter how minor, helps boosts confidence and maintains a positive outlook.
Practice self-care: Remember to prioritise self-care. Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being contributes to a positive mindset. This is something I used to be really terrible at, but with small changes and discipline I saw great results, and now I make self-care a priority.
Please remember, cultivating a positive mindset is a journey that requires consistent effort and practice. It's essential to be patient with yourself and acknowledge that occasional negative thoughts are natural. The goal is to develop the skills to redirect those thoughts and focus on the positive aspects of life.
If you would like some support and accountability adopting your positive thinking strategies, please feel free to get in touch and book your free 30-minute discovery call today to learn more about how we could work together.