Ways To Eliminate Negative Thinking
“Here we go again…”
“Why does everyone else seem to have all the luck?”
“What else could possibly go wrong today?”
Admit it. At one point or another, you’ve had thoughts like these. I know I have. But while it’s perfectly normal to occasionally fall prey to negative thoughts – especially after losing a job or some other stressful event – you must guard against falling into a pessimistic mental rut.
When you’re stuck in a mode of negative thinking, you miss out on opportunities to improve your day and your situation. Negative thoughts drain your energy and can even threaten your health. So if your attitude could use some improvement, try some of these tips to eliminate negative thinking:
- Recognize when you’re thinking negatively. Pay attention to your internal dialogue and send up a mental “red flag” when you’re thinking pessimistically.
- Realize that negative thoughts breed more negative thoughts. Remember, you attract what you focus on – whether it’s what you want or don’t want.
- Remind yourself that the negative thought is only that – a thought. In fact, what you’re thinking may have little basis in reality. Instead, your thoughts could be the result of projected fears about situations that rarely end up manifesting.
- Find a positive thought replacement. Rather than fighting against negative thoughts, try to replace them with more positive ones. Picture a different scenario; affirm something to yourself that’s positive and self-supporting; remind yourself of a recent positive experience.
- Use humor and fun. Negative thoughts stress you out. Change the energy of the situation by thinking of something funny or doing something enjoyable. The key is to not let your negative thoughts have power over you.
- Try creative visualization. When something goes wrong, close your eyes and visualize a positive outcome. Let yourself see what you want to happen like a movie playing behind your eyelids. You’ll stop negative thoughts in their tracks and focus your mind’s energy on potential solutions.
- Take a break. Even if you’re up against a deadline, take five minutes to stretch, take a brief walk or talk to a friend. Any respite, albeit brief, will help you reset your attitude and tackle your problem from a more positive perspective.
One More Tip…
If you’re stuck in a negative mental rut because of your job circumstances, Kinsa Group can help. As experts in food & beverage industry recruiting, we specialize in matching experienced professionals with rewarding career opportunities.
A small positive action like registering with our recruiting service can break your cycle of negative thinking and start you on a better career path. So take control of your situation by envisioning yourself in the job you really want – then contact us to turn that vision into reality.