Many of the great minds of our time agree that thoughts are the building blocks of life experiences. Simply put: the quality of your thoughts reflects the quality of your life.
The problem is we often believe that material things can make our lives fulfilled. We buy shiny, expensive things and go on trips to faraway, exotic places. Some people even resort to mind-numbing substances to help them forget their reality.
The truth is that creating a better reality starts by creating change from 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 living the life you want in the way you want.
Here are three life-altering tips. Incorporate them into your day to help you change negative thought patterns to positive ones.
1. Recognize Faulty Thought Patterns
Most of our beliefs and thoughts tend to be more on the negative side. These faulty thought patterns can lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
The author Earl Nightingale said, “We become what we think.” So, why are you letting your negative thoughts dictate how you live your life?
Here are some common negative patterns of thought many of us experience. 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
Which ones do you most relate to? Once identified, you can start to transform them from negative to positive.
2. Foster 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 about it the same way over and over again.
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. Marcus Aurelius’ quote rings true here, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”
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.
Reconditioning your thoughts takes time. Brace yourself for a few bumps along the way but stick with it. Being aware of the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior will help you regain control and live your best life.
3. Seek 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.
Rather than focusing solely on past events, CBT is all about your present. As 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 start to live intentionally.
Here are 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
Your challenge? Become more conscious of your thoughts, both the positive and the negative.
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. They uplift your mood, and boost your motivation, encouraging you to follow your life purpose.
So, work on the habit of thinking positive thoughts. Get started today. Your future self will thank you!
