How to Tame Your Negative Thoughts

Summary

• I find it helpful to not react immediately to stressful thoughts. Instead, my favorite solution is to do nothing for a moment. This allows me to observe my thoughts without reacting.
• Observing thoughts is like watching fish in a pond. There are many fish that move and change, just like our thoughts. I may see a thought I don’t like, but it will pass and change.
• A thought at one moment doesn't define you. Even if I have a negative thought now, it doesn't mean it will stay or have any lasting impact unless I choose to act on it.
• Remember that thoughts are transient. They can change in a few hours or days, and they don’t have to dictate my actions or define who I am.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a pause whenever you're faced with a challenging thought or situation. Instead of reacting immediately, try doing nothing for a moment. This gives you time to observe your thoughts without jumping to conclusions.

Think of your thoughts like fish swimming in a pond. Some may be pleasant, while others might not be. But remember, just like fish, thoughts are always moving and changing. Not every thought needs your attention or action. So, instead of worrying about a negative thought, notice that it will likely pass and make room for something new.

A good way to practice this is by setting aside a few minutes daily to sit quietly and observe your thoughts. Pay attention to how they come and go, without judging them. This can be a low-cost, high-value practice that can significantly boost your mental clarity and resilience.

Remember, a negative thought doesn't define you or your worth. Practice letting thoughts exist without trying to control them. Over time, you'll notice that you don't have to act on every impulse, which can lead to more thoughtful and deliberate decisions in both personal and professional life. Embracing this approach can foster growth, creativity, and a more peaceful state of mind.

Full Transcript

we have a thought and then immediately we go into an action I had this stressful thought therefore I need to do this thing don't do anything in fact my favorite solution is we do nothing right but the second favorite solution is we observe the thoughts right and so how do you observe thoughts there's a visual that's always worked really well for me which is I think of thoughts almost like fish in a pond and when I'm looking at that pond I see all these really pretty goldfish cuz I like goldfish and then I see like one poisoned one he's like dead floating in the pond he's like green he's like with like x's on his eyes and that's the thought that I'm not too happy with and what I look at is I just see that the fish are always moving and changing when I look at it in one moment it's not the same as the next moment which is similar to thoughts which is I could have a thought this moment it doesn't mean I'm going to have it in two hours and even if I do probably going to have it in a few days and even if I did what does that mean about me if I don't do anything about it nothing