The brain is wired to look out for danger. And since what we focus on grows, this means that we have a greater propensity to remember one negative comment in a whole sea of positives when we receive feedback about a presentation or something else we’ve done.
This will naturally affect our confidence going forward, so it’s well worth the effort to grow our positive thoughts.
When your thoughts are going in a negative direction and you find yourself disqualifying the positive, try some or all of these strategies:
1. Notice what is
Spend one day noticing your thoughts. Recognize the positive, negative, and neutral. Log these lists in your journal or on your phone. Noticing is your superpower here.
2. Track the positives
At the end of the day, take an inventory of all the positive or wonderful things that happened. More than a gratitude list, this is a concrete history of actual events. Just as you visit the chiropractor to adjust your spine, think of this as an intentional thought adjustment.
3. Plan some fun
Make a list of things you look forward to. What do you feel positively passionate about? Then, make plans to do some of these things and give yourself something to look forward to.
4. Share the joy
Sharing happy moments with others can strengthen our relationships, as it can help us to feel more connected and increase positive feelings towards each other.
5. Celebrate your wins
Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. This can help you to feel a sense of pride and fulfillment, which can contribute to overall happiness.
Focusing on happy moments can help to build resilience and coping skills, as it can help us to see that even in difficult times, there can be happiness and joy.