It’s been said that thoughts are things. And things aren’t so good when your thoughts turn against you.
We go deeper as GenuLines takes a closer look at this thoughts thing.
Self-Sabotaging Thoughts That Hinder Happiness
At times you’ll struggle to get your thoughts to align with your intentions. These types of thoughts focus on what’s wrong.
Or on what’s missing. Or on the negativity of the situation instead of the positives.
I Don’t Like People
Introverts can have a problem with this. They tend to base their decisions on how many people will be around to see the results..
They tend to make decisions that are not good for them because they are not comfortable being who they are. Turn that thought around.
Take action.
But focus on how you can give yourself care during anxious moments around people. It’s okay to be who you are.
I Am Too ____
Anytime you start a thought with, I am “too” you get into trouble. People often worry about things that no one else ever thinks about.
Yet sometimes they might worry about things that other people do think about.
For example, you find yourself saying you’re too fat, too dumb, too something. Turn that around by setting up steps that will get you to your goals.
I’ll Do That When I ______
You may have said it before to yourself. “I’ll do that when I go back to school.”
“I’ll do that when I clean the house.” “I’ll do that when I lose weight.”
You know the drill. Unless you need to do the thing in the blank, don’t allow that to get in your way.
If you do need to do it, make a step-by-step plan to get it done.
I Can’t Do _____
You may have heard your child, or yourself, or someone else say “I can’t do math.” Or “I can’t cook.”
The truth is, no one can do any of that without learning how to do it.
No one pops out of the womb knowing how to cook, write, read, or do math. Anyone can learn whatever they want to learn given the time and effort to do it.
Saying I Should ____
Have you ever heard that it’s important not to “should” all over everyone? Not only is it a bad idea to create “shoulds” for others, it’s a terrible idea to create them for yourself.
In the Past ___
You dwell on the past and what someone did to you then. Or you fixated on what things were like in the past.
This thinking isn’t going to help you overcome self-sabotage. While it’s okay to use the past as a learning example, it’s not okay to use it as an excuse not to move forward.
Remember you’re only in charge of yourself.
In the Future ____
You don’t want to focus on the past but you also don’t want to be too focused on what’s ahead. Focus on today and tomorrow will take care of itself.
If I Was More Like Them –
Never compare yourself to someone else in a negative way. It’s okay to look at what someone has accomplished.
Learn how to do it yourself, and follow their footsteps.
But don’t wish yourself away. Only you can be you.
Whenever you find you’re focused on a negative aspect of any situation, try to turn your mind around. Focus on the positives.
Yes, sometimes you’re going to have a sad or negative thought, that’s normal. It’s not about the ups and downs of life.
Those are natural. It’s about how you comport yourself the rest of the time.
That’s the better path to happiness.
JohnK 3-20-2023
Overheard: “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”As a Man Thinketh
Articlle image by Miguel Á. Padriñán: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bubble-illustration-1111372/
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