Nothing perpetuates fear faster than regenerating it through our thoughts.
What are you saying to yourself about yourself and your situation? We need to have time to share with with friends our concerns and problems. But when we have a continual stream of conversation with ourselves that is focused on our “What if’s”, worry and fear, problems take on a larger than life persona.
Our brains respond to the thoughts that stream through our consciousness. If your brain is constantly hearing you say how bad things are, how little control you have, how helpless you are, how others are so much better off than you, blah, blah, blah, you will act in that way.
If you think there is no use in trying, you will have little motivation to try and little creative energy to get moving again.
Our thinking produces a self-fulfilling prophecy. Negative beliefs soon become a reality.
We can perpetuate our problems or we can find solutions to them. We can give up or we can generate options.
Problems become like a mirror – we stand in front of them and all we see is the problem. We polish it; look at it continually and our problems become our frame of reference for life.
Put up a new mirror that reflects possibilities and options. Let go of what is not working, even if it worked at one time.
Challenge Negative Thoughts
Challenging negative thoughts is asking yourself, “who says I can’t do it? Who says I’ll fail? Who says I’m no good? Who says I can’t change directions?” Where are those messages coming from? They usually come from an Internal Critic we have adopted.
Instead ask yourself:
What can I learn from this situation. What do I need to do different? What do I need to avoid? Where can I put my energy, experience and learning to my best advantage? What am I learning about myself? How will this help me reach my long term goals?
Replace with Affirmations:
- I am confident in my ability to develop my passions and my goals
- Mistakes help me correct course
- Each time I try, I am getting better and better
- I am in charge of my thoughts, beliefs and emotions
- I believe in myself
- I believe in my ability to become the best I can be
Adopt an “I Can Do It” mindset. Tell yourself no matter how hard it is, giving up is not an option.
©2012 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC