Reframing Negative Thoughts-The Power of Positive Thinking

Have you noticed so often our thoughts go negative?  Have you realized that when this happens anxiety can settle in, or stress, or some other negative factor that doesn’t work in our favor?  When you realize this happening, do you shift your thoughts to positive thinking? In this blog post, I’m going to share recent, deeply personal experiences that provided me with proof that reframing negative thoughts into positive thinking truly worked in my favor.  I will also provide ways so you can do this for yourself.

Laying the Foundation

Several months ago, I was invited by an organization that I work for as an external coach to come to their location and deliver a workshop.  We initially decided on dates during the week of September 16^th. When we had another check in meeting, it was determined that the week we picked was not good for the organization, so we opted for the week earlier. 

In an older blog post, I write why the five days that are September 7^th through September 11^th are particularly difficult days for me and days I’d rather ignore. So, I wasn’t overly excited about those dates.  However, I am a professional and I knew that I could make it work.

I decided to challenge myself and figure out a way to wrap my head around flying to another destination on the eighth anniversary of my mother’s death.  I’d be without my family who could use my support, and I theirs.  I was going to be alone in a strange city. 

I also couldn’t help but think of this as an opportunity and that my mother, wherever she is would like that I was writing a new narrative for those five days.  Everything worked out beautifully and I had a successful trip and delivered a wonderful workshop that got excellent feedback.  I have the surveys to prove it 😊.

The Little Voice in My Head

The day before I left for my trip, I was finishing packing and running some errands.  Even though I was very prepared with my To-Do lists and packing lists, I still had all of these negative thoughts, like “what if I miss the plane?” “What if my rental car breaks down?” “What if I lose my cell phone? (that actually happened on the trip for a few hours, but I ended up finding it)” These thoughts were not helping me and were really counterproductive.

Well, I was in my car, and suddenly a voice in my head said to me, “what if everything goes right?”  I’m not sure where that voice came from, but it froze me in my tracks.  After the initial freezing of my body, I felt a new energy entering my body. I immediately felt a smile emerging on my face, I felt a weight being lifted, and I felt an acceptance of the question, “what if everything goes right?”  I knew then that I was going to adopt this positive thought and keep it with me for the upcoming trip and going forward in my everyday life.

What if everything goes right?

Even when I had lost my cellphone for those few hours, I figured I’d stay positive because the worst thing that could have happened would be I’d buy a new phone.

Reframing Negative Thoughts: A Key to Personal Growth

Our thoughts have incredible power over how we experience the world. They shape our emotions, influence our actions, and define how we navigate life’s challenges. Negative thinking, especially in difficult situations, can easily take hold and lead us down a path of self-doubt and frustration. But by learning how to reframe these thoughts, we can develop a mindset that empowers us, helping us see opportunities where we once saw obstacles.

Negative thoughts are a natural response to stress, failure, or uncertainty. While they may be common, allowing them to dominate our thinking can limit our ability to grow, connect, and thrive. Instead of letting these thoughts control our feelings and actions, reframing offers a way to view challenges through a more constructive and balanced lens.

What is Reframing?

Reframing is the process of changing how we interpret a situation. It’s not about ignoring or downplaying difficulties but rather about looking at them from a fresh perspective. When we reframe negative thoughts, we shift from a mindset of defeat to one of possibility.

For instance, if you’ve had a falling out with a friend, instead of thinking, “They don’t care about me,” you could reframe it as, “We’re going through a rough patch, but we both value our friendship and can work through this.” This shift in interpretation can transform how you feel, fostering understanding and patience rather than anger and sadness.

The Benefits of Reframing

Reframing doesn’t change the facts, but it changes how you see them—and that shift can make all the difference in your emotional well-being and ability to bounce back from setbacks. When you reframe a negative thought, you open yourself up to possibilities you hadn’t considered before. It helps you approach problems with a clearer mind and greater flexibility, making it easier to find solutions rather than dwell on what went wrong.

Moreover, reframing negative thoughts helps break the cycle of fear and self-doubt. When you reframe a fear of failure into an opportunity for growth, you become more willing to take risks, try new things, and learn from mistakes. Over time, this practice builds resilience, which can lead to stronger relationships, better decision-making, and a more positive outlook on life.

How to Reframe Negative Thoughts

Reframing is a mental habit that takes practice, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Here are ten practical tips to help you start reframing negative thoughts:

1. Identify the thought: Recognize when you’re having a negative or limiting thought.
2. Challenge its truth: Ask yourself, “Is this thought really accurate?” Often, it’s an exaggeration or assumption.
3. Find contrary evidence: List reasons that contradict the negative thought. For example, if you think “I always mess things up,” recall times when you succeeded.
4. Shift the narrative: Change your interpretation of the situation. Replace “I failed” with “I’m learning.”
5. Focus on what’s possible: Instead of obsessing over what went wrong, ask, “What can I do next?”
6. Be kind to yourself: Treat yourself with the same compassion you’d offer a friend. Acknowledge your efforts and progress.
7. Practice gratitude: Shift your focus to what’s going well, even in tough times. Gratitude helps balance out negative thoughts.
8. Use positive affirmations: Counter negative self-talk with affirmations that reinforce your strengths and capabilities.
9. Take small steps: Negative thoughts often paralyze us. Taking small, actionable steps can help shift your mindset.
10. Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people, environments, and activities that uplift and inspire you.

Want more insights? Give me a call to schedule a meeting.