A large part of our personality is tied to how we view the world and the way we think about things. Our general attitude and thought process can have a serious impact on how we live our lives and, as a result, upon the quality of our experiences. Using a journal to work on your thoughts is a great way to improve your thinking habits.
1. Positive Thinking
When we have a general positive outlook on life and choose to think in an optimistic way, we can do a lot to improve our lives. According to the Mayo Clinic positive thinking not only improves the way you look at life but can actually help you improve your health.
When we try to think positively, we can actually decrease our feelings of stress and can be inspired to live healthier lives. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950).
The benefits of positive and/or healthy thinking include:
- Longer life
- Fighting depression
- Resistance to basic illnesses
- Improved mental and physical well being
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Improved coping abilities
2. Negative Thinking
Psychotherapist Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. suggests that many of us have a tendency to dwell on negative thoughts. She believes that we often find it easier to relive a negative experience than we do something positive. Essentially this indicates a tendency to think negatively holding onto pain, being overly critical of ourselves etc. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inviting-monkey-tea/201904/negative-thinking-dangerous-addiction).
When we think negatively, we tend to feel stressed and scared about our lives. If we cannot envisage good things happening, we tend to not try new things or assume good things will never happen to us.
3. Confident Thinking
Psychologist Hendrie Weisinger Ph.D. says that confidence is “the degree to which you think and ‘feel’ your actions will achieve positive results.” When we think with confidence about ourselves, we truly open up the world of possibilities. If we believe we can do something we give ourselves the motivation to work toward making this belief a reality. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thicken-your-skin/201509/the-essence-confidence).
If we have a solid healthy level of confidence in thinking we have a good grasp on our worth and abilities. We understand that we are able to achieve things and are willing to work harder to have better lives as a result.
4. Unconfident Thinking
Psychologist Alice Boyes Ph.D. believes that those who lack confidence and who have this kind of mindset miss out on a great deal. If your thinking is unconfident you feel like you are unable to achieve things. Often unconfident thinkers feel that others don’t care what they think or that what they have to offer is lacking. If you do not think you have a right to be confident you are self sabotaging and surrendering to a lesser life. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/in-practice/201807/6-mental-mistakes-unconfident-people-make).
5. Victim Thinking
WebMD suggests there are several indications of a so-called victim mentality which include feeling powerless, catastrophizing, believing people are against you and feeling alone.
This victim thinking can be greatly destructive to your life as it leads to apathy, fear, and unhealthy habits. People who have thoughts of having been cheated or being pushed down by others will often surrender to these thoughts and fail to live a good life. (https://blogs.webmd.com/relationships/20160518/6-signs-of-victim-mentality).
Thinking like a victim makes you give up trying things, blame others for your lack of success and generally leaves you weakened.
6. Passive Thinking
Psychologist Guy Winch Ph.D. suggests that people with a passive mindset tend to use this way of thinking as an excuse not to try. Those who think passively will live a life that revolves around not trying to make something better happen.
They believe things just happen and can’t be changed, they also think that everything is down to luck. This mentality leads to a lack of drive because the person does not see the point in working for something better. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201511/10-things-passive-people-say).
All the best,
Patti
