Did you know that you can manage your thoughts and create better outcomes, versus your thoughts manages you and creating an unwanted reality?
There are a few universal secrets to living a full life, and managing your thoughts is a big one. I’ve bet you’ve heard it before: you are what you think. Another way of saying this is: “as a man thinketh…“Well, there is a lot of truth to this. Throughout the ages, many of the great minds of our time agree that thoughts are largely the building blocks of life experiences.
Simply put, the quality of your thoughts influences the quality of your life.
Problems can surface when you start to believe that material things can make your life better. You may buy shiny, expensive items or take trips to faraway, exotic places. Some even resort to mind-numbing substances to help them forget their current reality.
The truth is that creating a better reality starts with the change you create on the inside. Your thoughts are the driving force behind why you feel and act the way you do. Once you understand the link between those three, you can start managing your thought life and start living the life you desire.
Below, you’ll find three life-altering tips. Practice them daily to help you change negative thought patterns to positive ones.
Let’s dive in.
- Recognize Faulty Thought Patterns
It seems like we always begin with self-awareness. It’s because oftentimes we don’t know ourselves as well as we think we do. So starting with self-awareness is a powerful strategy to create lasting change. A human beings, most of our beliefs and thoughts tend to be more on the negative side. This is true no matter how optimistic we are. These faulty thought patterns, left unchecked can lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
The famous author Earl Nightingale once said, “We become what we think.” So, why are you letting your negative thoughts dictate how you live your life? Mainly because you are not aware of how much this is happening, on auto-pilot.
Until now that is.
Here are some of the more common negative thought patterns many of us suffer from. Grab a pen and paper and write down the ones that resonate with you the most. Once you’ve identified them, you can start to transform them from the negative to the positive.
- Minimizing achievements and maximizing simple errors
- Catastrophizing future outcomes
- All-or-nothing dichotomous thinking
- Generalizing people and situations
- Filtering out positive statements and focusing only on the negative
2. Foster New Healthy Habits
When you do something repeatedly, it becomes a habit. The more you do it, the more likely you’ll keep doing it in the future.
Thought patterns are the same way. The more you think in a certain way, the more you’ll likely keep thinking in the same way over and over again. Soon enough, it’ll start to consume your day-to-day living.
The science behind it is that each thought ignites a chemical reaction in your brain. This reaction then triggers a certain emotion. As a result, your emotions send a signal to your body and you react accordingly.
This cycle repeats itself until you realize you’re not living the life you want for yourself. You can’t even recognize who you are anymore. Cult enthusiasts and group think leaders love to use this subtle tactic to control and mobilize groups of people.
I digress.
Marcus Aurelius’ quote rings true here, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”
This is when you can decide to make a change. Recondition yourself by recognizing negative thoughts and how they affect your emotions.
The act of thinking about your thinking is what psychologists refer to as metacognition. It’s one of the best ways to find out what’s causing your thought patterns.
As with most things, reconditioning your thoughts takes time. Brace yourself for a few bumps along the way but stick with it.
You’ll realize it’s the only way to become aware of the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Only then will you be able to regain control and live the life you deserve.
3. Seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
If the first 2 tips don’t help you to conquer your thought life, you can consider trying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for dealing with certain mental disorders. This type of therapy focuses on the idea that our thoughts, behavior, and emotions are all linked.
The best thing about CBT is it’s all about your present, rather than focusing solely on past events.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
Through CBT, you learn how to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT is also unique in that it assigns practical work outside each session. It’s a great way to see first-hand how thoughts influence behavior and how you can start to live intentionally.
Check out some of the most common CBT strategies:
- Exposure: Coming face-to-face with your fears to confront and overcome stress and apprehension
- Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment through steady breathing and your five senses
- Skills training: Practicing certain skills through role-playing, modeling, and mock scenarios
The Takeaway
Now, it’s time for a little challenge. Become more conscious of your thoughts, both the good and the bad.
Negative thoughts hold you back from living life to the fullest. They keep you shackled in a tiring cycle of self-doubt, fear, and panic.
On the flip side, positive thoughts make you feel good about yourself and others. They uplift your mood, boost your motivation, and encourage you to work hard.
So, work on rewiring your brain to think happy, positive thoughts. Getting started may be difficult in the beginning, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Your future self will thank you!
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx