Tag Archive for the past

Stop Letting The Past Dictate Your Future

October 7, 2024 John Uncategorized No comments

banner supports the future

Stop Letting The Past Dictate Your Future

On one level you know that clinging to the past is a bad option and that you need to progress in life. But have you taken a moment to reflect on this?

Why should you move on from the past? Let GenuLines show you how not moving on from your past can affect most every other aspect of your life.

What’s so bad about focusing on the past?

First, we look at a negative aspect: holding grudges. This can stunt your emotional and mental growth.

The more you focus on that, the less attention you have to give to what’s happening in the present.

Now flip the script to the positive side of things. Fixating on a positive event from your past steals attention from your future.

You also run the risk of comparing everything that happens from then on to that one “perfect” event.

This fixation can lead to negative outcomes in your future. The more you focus on the past, the less you witness the present.

You have a tendency to miss special occasions or important events.

You move through life in a more distracted way. Worst of all is that you stunt your development and growth.

How can focusing on the past dictate your future?

You could get distracted when you need to pay attention to the present. And you start making comparisons to another moment in time

Plus, you risk turning down new opportunities. You’re afraid they won’t live up to the past experience.

How do you stop focusing on the past?

The first step in putting an end to this behavior is to resolve to let it go. Yes, it’s easier said than done.

But you have to make a conscious decision to let go and move forward with your life.

Fixated on a positive past event

This is different than letting go of a grudge. Letting go in this sense is to stop comparing other events to this one.

It doesn’t mean that you have to forget the moment you’ve valued for so long. But it does mean that you continue to experience and enjoy each new moment.

Fixated on a negative past event

When you let go of a grudge you forgive the person and move on from the event. You don’t condone what happened.

But don’t let it live rent-free in your head or you’ll only hurt yourself.

JohnK 10-7-2024
chiforyourself.com

stick man hears about the futureOverheard: “Only you can control your future”

~Dr. Seuss
Article image by Photo by Thirdman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-jacket-fixing-the-rear-view-mirror-6945902/

 

disclaimer for the future

Self-Sabotaging Thoughts That Hinder Happiness

March 20, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

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.
 
a picture of thoughts

 

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
 
stick man hears about thoughtsOverheard: “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”
                          ~James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
 
 
 
Articlle image by Miguel Á. Padriñán: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bubble-illustration-1111372/
 
 
 
disclaimer for thoughts
 

Stop Focusing on Your Past Mistakes and Failures

June 14, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Reminiscing and thinking about the past can be a great exercise. It’s always good to have a healthy respect for things that have come and gone.

But you don’t want to live in the past, and GenuLines can help you adjust your view of days gone by.

Stop Focusing on Your Past Mistakes and Failures

They say that learning from history is how you best ensure a good future. That said, if you’re living in the past you’re doing more harm than good.
 
And if you’re replaying negative events in your mind it’s even worse.
 
It’s also a surefire way to temper your boldness. And it lessens your resolve when you face future challenges.
 
 
picture of past mistakes
 
So how do you stop doing that?
Learn to Value Your Mistakes
The first thing to do is to value your mistakes. Remember that mistakes teach you things.
 
They make you stronger and wiser. And they give your personal narratives a more interesting and more unique bent.
 
It’s not our successes that cause us to grow and develop but our mistakes. And each failure brings you one step closer to being the person you want to be.
 
Realize that your mistake has merit and value in itself. Then you can be a little more comfortable accepting it as part of your story.
Looking Forward
The next thing to do is to look forward and to remember that things are going to get better now. You’ve had your mistake, so how are you going to learn from that and use it to drive you in the future?
 
Don’t think about how your last relationship was a failure, Focus on how you’re going to make the next one a success.
Forgive Yourself
Many of us focus on our failures. We obsess over them because we’re frustrated with ourselves or we even feel guilty.
 
The key then is to stop aiming for perfection. Remember: you’re only human and mistakes are par for the course.
 
They’re acceptable and in fact, you can expect them. Know this and let your missteps go.
 
Ask yourself: would you beat someone else up if they had the same failure?
Learn to Let Go
Letting go in itself is something of an art form. If you’re an obsessive personality this is a skill that’s well worth learning.
 
You might consider seeing a cognitive-behavioral therapist. Besides learning to let go you’ll re-work your thoughts in a more positive way.
 
JohnK 6-14-2021

Stick figure hears about the pastOverheard: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past”                                ~William Faulkner

 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for the past