- To have negative thoughts is to be human. Most of us spend a lot of time inside our own mind stressing about the future, replaying events in the past, and generally focusing on the parts of life that leave us dissatisfied. While common, negative or unwanted thoughts can prevent you from enjoying experiences, distract you from focusing on what’s important, and drain your energy, they can also make you feel anxious and depressed.
- Here are 4 steps to stop your negative thoughts from killing your confidence
Recognize thought imbalance
Our minds have clever and persistent ways of convincing us of something that isn’t really true. These inaccurate thoughts reinforce negative thinking. If you can recognize them, you can learn to challenge them. The more you do this, the more you begin to boost your confidence.
Stop comparing yourself to others
It’s incredibly easy to compare yourself to other people in today’s social media environment. A study showed that the more time people spend on social media, the more depressed they are. Focus on what you enjoy. There will be no room for negative thoughts. You’ll get closer to mastering what you enjoy most and you’ll be confident in your mastery.The moment you stop comparing yourself to others and begin to value yourself, your self esteem will begin to grow.
Practice constant gratitude
Research shows that feeling grateful has a big impact on your levels of positivity and happiness. Even when you are experiencing a challenging time in your life, you can usually find things; no matter how small to be grateful for. Noticing the things that are going well and making you feel happy will keep you in touch with them.
Focus more on your strengths
It’s human nature to dwell on the negative and overlook the positive. The more you can practice focusing on your strengths and not dwelling on mistakes you’ve made, the easier it will be to feel positive about yourself and the direction your life is taking.