Don't Believe Your Negative Thinking

Sometimes we get trapped into believing negative thoughts and judgments about ourselves and others that just aren't true.

An extreme example of an untrue thought might be when someone believes that they are worthless, or that just because they failed once at something they'll fail again, or that no one will ever love them.

If you find yourself feeling sad, getting angry or some other negative emotion pay attention to some of the thoughts you've been having and remember, "Don't Believe Everything You Think." Ask yourself if what you are thinking is true and find out what is really true for yourself.

Toss those negative thoughts out!

Negative thoughts can run around in the back of our mind like malware, spyware or a virus on our computer. It slows us down, confuses us, and generally makes our life a mess...but so often we're so used to it being like that so we don't really recognize that anything is wrong.

Getting rid of negative thoughts is easier said than done. First, you have to identify them. Sometimes we recognize that we're feeling down or angry. But we can't always pinpoint why. I've learned to take a notebook and just start writing everything down that comes to mind.

Another thing to do is pinpoint you're judgments about others...judgments will almost always lead to feeling badly. And what is negative thinking? Thinking that makes you feel bad! So, write down a list of things you resent about someone.

All right, so you've now figured out some of your negative thoughts. Now what?

Some of the most effective ways I've discovered for letting loose of negative questions is through asking myself questions. I've tried many different things over the years, such as The Sedona Method, exercises from best selling author Debbie Ford's books, and many more. But by far my favorite is "The Work" method discovered by Byron Katie.

Check out a video of The Work being done below to see if this method appeals to you.

If it doesn't keep exploring other options...try reading different self-help books or making up your own strategies. There is no one "correct" way. Find what works for you.

A woman explores her belief that her body is unlovable, learns she doesn't have to believe that thought, and finds love and freedom as a result.

These are books that have had profound impact on my overcoming negative thinking. I am very grateful to have discovered them.

Need a reminder to not believe everything you think? Try sticking a magnet to the fridge or inside your locker with that phrase on it. Or carry a keychain around with you. Or remind others around you that you (and they) don't have to believe everything you think by having the phrase, "Don't Believe Everything You Think" emblazoned across your chest on a t-shirt.