When you want to start a new project or start working on a new goal, perhaps for something related to your job, is your first natural reaction to think that you are capable and ready to go? As an educator and professional advisor, I have found that the natural reaction of most people is one of questions and doubts. Natural instinctual thoughts are related to fear and questions about ability and ability. When these instinctual thoughts begin, it sets the stage for a sense of limitation and risk of failure. Rather than working from a sense of empowerment and working toward the true potential a person has to learn, when new tasks fuel developmental growth, a person remains stuck in doubt. However, if you can be alert to instinctual self-doubt patterns, it is possible to create a new set of empowering thoughts.
The origins of instinctual negative thoughts
Why is the default setting for many of us, when it comes to questioning our ability to complete a task, to think that we cannot or cannot achieve it? Why doesn’t the default thought process start with a resounding yes? Perhaps it has something to do with being told to be cautious as children, or that only those who look and act a certain way are capable of any task. It is not always easy to identify the cause, and yet there is a lack of self-confidence in the ability to even start a new project, task, goal, or something similar, without having any form of doubt about being able to complete it. .
Consider the last time someone at your workplace asked you to take on a new role or job duty. Did you automatically feel capable of doing what was required? Or if you were asked now, would you feel capable of looking for a new job or additional responsibilities based on your capabilities? The answers to those questions will help you understand what your instinctual thought patterns are and what you need to address. You may not know exactly how those thoughts started, or even how those thoughts have remained, but now you will know of their existence. What most people use as the basis for what they believe about themselves, as to what they are or are not capable of at any given time, are the negative events that have occurred in their career.
What happens is that those lingering or instinctive thoughts eventually turn into an ingrained belief. So any negative incident becomes evidence to support those thoughts about inability to do something, rather than using it as feedback. Each person is capable of learning new skills and new responsibilities, but it depends on their thought patterns whether or not they will follow it. If you believe in your own ability to learn and develop it as a practiced habit of thought, you will create it as a belief.
Negative instinctual thinking patterns
For those who have not practiced a pattern of thinking positive thoughts about their ability to perform well, they will find themselves stuck with recurring negative thought patterns. Every time there is a new challenge, the default thinking is negative. If someone praises you, be it a supervisor or a co-worker, there may be temporary happiness, but in the long run, negative thoughts will always surface. All it takes is for someone to disagree with them or challenge them in some way. Developing positive thinking patterns takes time and practice and, most importantly, a strong sense of self and self confidence.
3 instinctive thoughts you must stop to discover your true potential
Instinctive thinking n. 1: I can’t.
How many times has this occurred to you? To change this thinking, answer the question. Face it head-on. Because you can not? What that does is take the fear out of the issue and give you back control. Learn that even in the worst case, there are many ways you can find a way to turn this into an “I can” situation.
The more you practice this technique, the more likely instinctual thinking will eventually turn into “I can,” since you know those words mean “I can be prepared,” “I can learn,” and many other similar statements. As you try it and find out that it is true, you will repeat it enough times for it to become a belief.
Instinctive thinking n. 2: I’m scared.
This is another powerful statement that can derail a person’s progress and limit their potential. I recommend the same approach as the first negative thought, face it head-on. Why are you afraid? What are you afraid of now? Use fear as a means to prepare, not as a statement that makes you want to run away from whatever task you have in mind. Yes, you may not be sure of the outcome of a project or task. But what you can trust is yourself and your abilities.
You can use any sense of uncertainty to ask questions, obtain information, and allow yourself to be fully prepared. You can even imagine the worst-case scenario, if this helps, to help eliminate any sense of fear of the unknown and prepare for the bottom line. The point is to become proactive and face fear in a positive way in order to shift instinctual thinking into a positive perspective.
Instinctive thinking n. 3: I don’t know how.
Many people believe that they cannot admit that they do not know how to perform a task or some aspect of their work. Perhaps they are supposed to be the subject matter expert, the qualified expert, or they were hired for their expertise. This is a common myth, as I have yet to find an employer that expects an employee to know all processes and procedures, and possess all or all aspects of their job. It is better to ask someone for help than to ignore it and hope it will never be found out.
If there is something you need to learn, this is an opportunity to grow in your position or profession. The point is to believe in yourself and deal with instinctual thoughts from a positive perspective. Just because you don’t know something doesn’t mean you’re going to be fired (I understand there may be exceptions), it means that you should see this as the learning opportunity it provides. This will help you develop a positive instinctual thought process.
Discover strategies for creating positive thoughts
Even with the development of positive thoughts, you may have times when you experience uncertainty and fear. The best strategy is to tackle it as soon as you experience it. The feeling you have is an indicator of what you are experiencing and, if you allow it, it can turn into frustration, which can be reflected in your job performance.
Tell yourself, it’s okay to feel:
For those of us who practice developing positive thoughts, there will be times when fear or negative thoughts arise. If that happens, what do you do about it? It’s as simple as telling yourself not to worry, it’s okay to feel. You are a human being and negative thoughts cannot be completely eliminated. Even the seemingly happiest person you know may be experiencing moments of pain and fear. It’s not about how you feel, it’s about how you respond to those feelings. When you feel any negative thought form, process it in the same way as described above, facing it head-on. Do not deny it or hide it. Acknowledge it and move on. There are many things in life that you cannot control, from people to circumstances, and you will experience reactions at times that are not perfect. When you do, acknowledge those reactions and think positively of yourself again.
Be curious:
Developing positive thoughts is about the practice of eliminating naturally negative thoughts. To do this, using the strategies provided above, you will find it helpful to become inquisitive. If you experience fear, you wonder why you feel this way and what scares you now or in the future. If you think you can’t start or complete a task, ask yourself questions to find out more. In other words, never accept those negative thoughts as the final answer. Using questions is the best way to explore, probe, and disarm negative thoughts.
Develop new thinking habits:
Don’t wait for negative thoughts to arise. It is time to develop positive thoughts about yourself now. For example, decide today that if you are assigned a new task or project, you will be ready for it. You will be prepared for it because you will know how to ask questions, you will determine what you know and what you need to learn, and you are aware of your ability to learn and grow. You feel confident in your ability to take on new assignments and look forward to seeing you prosper. As you continue to have these thoughts, watch what happens. These thoughts will become your personal beliefs. These beliefs will carry over from your career to your personal life as well. It will transform all aspects of your life simply through the power of positive instinctual thoughts. Instead of being afraid or hesitating about taking on new goals or projects because you might fail, you will now see yourself as someone with the potential, ability, and ability to succeed.
