I’m not a fan of negative thoughts.
I’m pretty sure no one is.
Negative thoughts do come up though, it’s part of life.
Question is, how do we stop negative thoughts from coming up again and again?
That stop us from moving forward, being healthy, and happy?
Episode 013: Three Ways To Eliminate Negative Thoughts
In this podcast, I’ll share with you what my own negative thoughts are and 3 ways I’m able to overcome them.
It’s crazy to think how powerful our thoughts are.
Especially since our thoughts reflection our blueprint on life, how we view the world and interpret what’s happening around us and to us.
You’ve probably heard it said…. “Change your thoughts, change your world.”
It makes sense since positive thoughts typically do generate positive feelings, and it’s these positive feelings that then attract positive life experiences.
Unfortunately, it works the same with negative thoughts.
Negative thoughts generate negative feelings, and it’s these negative feelings that then attract our negative life experiences.
Not cool.
Let’s all stop thinking negatively.
I know, easier said than done right?
Trust me, I understand.
3 Ways To Eliminate Negative Thoughts
There are many things we have no control over such as the weather and stock market.
Then there are things we have complete control over such as our thoughts… how and what we think.
Here’s three ways we can help shape our thoughts from negative to positive.
1) Exercise Gratitude
Did you know it’s nearly impossible to feel grateful and angry at the same time?
It’s true.
Whenever we express gratitude, it changes both our physical and emotional state.
We go from being uptight and tense to relaxed and calm.
We go from feeling angry and resentful to thankful and forgiving.
Consider exercising gratitude daily.
Part of my daily morning routine is writing in my gratitude journal every morning so that I start my day off in a good mental (and grateful) state of mind.
Creating this relaxed and peaceful state of mind first thing in the morning contributes to me thinking more positive thoughts throughout the day, regardless of what comes my way.
We can’t always control the conditions around us, but we can always control the decisions we make including how and what we think.
Whether you write in a gratitude journal as I do or send a daily message to someone thanking them for their help, service, friendship, or business, make it a point to exercise gratitude daily.
It could even be acknowledging people you might never have thought of being grateful for such as the bank teller, the equipment manager at the gym, or your local barista.
Make it a daily practice to exercise gratitude.
Not only will you begin feeling and thinking awesome thoughts by doing so, you’ll also be putting a lot of smiles on people’s faces.
2) Audit Your Surroundings
Have you ever stopped to think about who you hang around with?
Are their thoughts, ideas, and statements more often negative than positive?
Give that some serious thought because who you hang around with can and will directly influence your own thoughts and ideas.
My man Jim Rohn said it best…
“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”
I know this is another one that may sound easier said than done, especially if it’s your best friend or family members who are being negative.
You can’t just say “peace out” to your own family… I mean I guess you could, I wouldn’t suggest it though.
Consider spending less time around the people who are negative and more time around people who seem to always be happy, positive, and optimistic.
And if spending less time with these negative people isn’t an option, than choose to not partake or contribute to their negative ideas, thoughts, and conversations.
Either share positive messages, stay silent and just listen, or let them know you rather not be a part of the particular conversation or discussion that’s going on.
If you feel like you don’t know anyone who’s positive and that everyone around you is negative, there’s always online communities you can join and be a part of.
Whether it’s the The Wellness Bucket, this community, or this one.
“If you can’t change the people around you, then change the people around you.”
3) Guard Your Mind
In the same way that who we spend time with directly influences our thoughts and ideas, so too does what we consume in terms of what books we read, television shows we watch, and news we listen to.
More than ever, it seems everything and everyone is gunning for our attention.
There are so many options as far as what to consume via social media, news, books, television shows, movies, courses, you name it, it’s available.
That is why I am extra cautious and deliberate with what I information I choose to consume.
I make it a point to not tune into anything negative since I know the effect it can have on my own thoughts and thinking.
Make it so that whatever it is you’re reading, watching, or listening to has you feeling happy, positive, and optimistic.
“Everyday, stand guard at the door of your mind, and you alone decide what thoughts and beliefs you let into your life. For they will shape you whether you feel rich, poor, cursed, or blessed.”
Life is too awesome, you’re too awesome, to be surrounded by negative thoughts and thinking.
I understand that negative thinking is something we all experience once in a while.
Let’s make the effort though to make sure it’s no more than once in a while and when it does happen, we’re over it quickly and back to feeling positive and awesome – deal?
Thanks for being here.
Mike
