Do you ever find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thinking?

We all have our moments, but if this is something that might be affecting your life and career more than it should be – it’s time to flip the script. Rather than getting sucked into self-defeating cycles and being weighed down by negative self-talk, why not shift the narrative and see what happens? 

I’ll let you in on a little secret: People tend to think I’m a super-positive person, but the truth is it takes effort! Positivity doesn’t always come naturally to me – it takes awareness, practice and intention, but the more I do it, the easier it is to get into a frame of mind where positivity rules (and look out – because manifesting good vibes can be contagious!). We all sometimes find ourselves stuck in negativity loops. I’m here to tell you: the more effort you put into practicing positivity in your life, the easier it will get for all those times when our minds try to pull us toward doubtful thinking instead. 

I see this a lot with women I work with. A golden opportunity might cross their path, but they won’t step up because of the negative self-talk that starts to creep in. They’ll say things like:   

• I’m not good enough
• I don’t have as much experience as others
• I don’t have the connections or influence
• My reputation isn’t as good as that other person
• I’m still building my expertise, so how can I be taken seriously in an elevated position?

Can you guess the outcome? All that negative self-talk stops them from going for a new opportunity – be it a stretch project, new role or experience – they build that negative story and ultimately miss out on what could have been a life changing accomplishment!

The good news is, a conscious mindset shift can make a world of difference when it comes to eliminating negative thinking for a more positive outlook. Here are my top tips to dial up the positivity in your life: 

Check yourself

Throughout the day, take time to assess your mental state.  If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, it might be time for some mental reshuffling! I love this tip from Dr Lucy Hone, who suggests when you encounter a difficult or negative thought, you should pause and ask: “Is this helpful or harmful?” By asking yourself this simple question you place yourself back in the driver’s seat, allowing you to reclaim control over your mindset.

Flip the script 

Here’s a hack I want you to try if you’re feeling stuck with something right now: Write down all the doubts that come to mind about why you shouldn’t take the opportunity – then for each one, write the exact opposite down. For example:

• I don’t have the experience → I have been doing this role for 4 years
• I don’t have the connections or influence → I am well respected by three influential senior leaders in this division
• I’m still building my expertise → My contribution is valued in those fortnightly leadership meetings

Now I want you to look at that opposite positive statement and try it on. How does it feel? I bet it feels better! 

Surround yourself with positive people 

It’s no secret that who you surround yourself with can have a huge impact on your outlook. Having positive people in the mix – family, friends or co-workers – is key to staying focused and motivated! Of course, that doesn’t mean we can only hang out with people who never have down days – rather it means surrounding ourselves with those whose outlooks are often up and provide us encouragement as we tackle challenges together. This kind of contagious positivity will not only give you more energy but also enhance the chances for reaching your goals successfully. 

Practice gratitude

Many of us take for granted the small joys in life, but practicing a little gratitude can go a long way. As our Episode 24 guest of the Your Brilliant Career Podcast Chelsea Pottinger says in her book The Mindful High Performer; “The best things about cultivating gratitude are that it doesn’t cost any money, doesn’t take much time and is scientifically proven to have numerous benefits.”

There have been countless psychology studies that have shown being grateful brings more happiness – and even benefits your physical health by lowering cortisol levels and blood pressure!  

You know the saying, “fake it till you make it”? Turns out that for those of us who get stuck in negative thought loops, a simple mindset shift might just be the key to success in both your personal and professional life. If you can learn to change your negative thought patterns into positive ones, you’ll not only feel better on a day-to-day basis, but your career will flourish as well. And who doesn’t want that? So go out there and start flipping the script on those negative thoughts! And if you need a little extra help jumpstarting your career, we’ve got just the thing. Our individual executive coaching programs are designed specifically for women who want to take their career to the next level.