What Do You Think?
Adopting Resilient Thinking
What’s on your mind right now? When I google ‘thoughts’ the web search says that on average each of us has 45,000 thoughts a day, with 80% being negative. That’s an avalanche of choices to go down. How do those thoughts affect you? To what degree can they change your mood?
The effects of negative thinking
In the article what happens to the body if I complain? I was shocked to learn that it can lower immune function and creativity, release stress and attract negativity. Can the human mind relearn and change, even reject this state of mind? I whole-heartedly believe it can!
Complaining or negative venting never delivers a worthwhile outcome. Is it easier to point out the negative than think of improvement? If I point out a weakness (obvious or not) does that give me a sense of dominance? And if I do, how will others react to me?
What if we focussed on what is good about a given project or idea, finding the solution (our problem solving training can definitely help!), and moving on in the direction in which we wish to progress?
The Critic
This is the trap of so-called conventional wisdom – a cycle of ‘criticism’. If I present a new idea to 10 people will 9 tell me why it won’t work? Does perfection in modern society mean becoming a master of this avenue of thought? Is being a Critic the height of professional achievement? From Sport, Entertainment, Business, Political – are we to be scrutinised and judged by the well-renowned personality with the job title of Critic?
From business into personal relationships, is the Critic poised at the edge of symptomatic co-dependency? Criticising your partner, even holding them responsible for your value systems. Psychologists would certainly tell you that this is so with suggestions that 90% of us are engaged in this social behaviour pattern.
Resilience and Negative Overload
Becoming centred in your own worth is absolutely crucial for self-esteem and personal resilience. Being able to have a balanced view which says, ‘I can see how this might work’ or, ‘let’s think how to improve this’ is a great place to start. Over-coming the tentacles of depression can indeed start from the belief ‘I am grateful for…’ and an easier step out of negative overload. Meditation is after all a thoughtful dynamic which can lead an emotion into place rather than be led by one. Yes, we can learn change. It starts with mindfulness and the value we put on ourselves.
