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File Those Negative Thoughts!By Life Coach Brook Montagna, M.S., Personal and Professional Coaching
Date: 02/01/2005
 Have you ever had this experience? You are looking
over your business budget and thinking of all the things you can’t afford.
Thinking that if only you could afford certain things, your business and life
would be easier? Or maybe you are worried about how to pay certain bills. Or
maybe you know there are certain skills you must have to move your business
forward, but you are convinced you can’t develop them. Then, do you feel
discouraged, or fearful about success, or just plain depressed?
I
managed to catch myself is just such a negative spiral today. I have long wanted
to create a newsletter that would provide some help and support for handling the
mental, emotional, and physical challenges that go with self employment and
small business ownership, and it seemed to be a natural next step for my
business. But I kept putting it off and dreading the task of writing. When I
finally began to write, I found myself with brain-freeze, staring at my computer
screen and unable to compose. Here I was, trapped with negative thinking like,
“I can’t write an article. I’m not a writer. It’s too much work to learn this
skill. No one will want to read what I write.” And on and on. No wonder it took
me so long to even begin to write! It was obvious how much time and energy I had
wasted with negative thinking. Not only that, I was needlessly making my work so
much harder and more unpleasant for myself. With this awareness, I knew that if
I was going to accomplish my goal, I would have to remain vigilant about my
thinking and file away all negative thoughts. I even took out a file folder and
labeled it “Negative Thoughts” so that I have a real place for these pernicious
joy killers. This process really does work, and it’s so simple and more fun than
being stuck and held back.
You might want to try this yourself by
examining your thinking about a project or task that you dread or avoid or feel
incapable of. Take a moment to relax and listen to your thoughts. What are you
thinking about yourself, your business, and the future as it relates to that
task? How would it be to start the task without any negative thoughts? And
perhaps with some encouraging thoughts such as, “I can do this.” Or “My business
is becoming financially stronger.” Can you file away the thinking that doesn’t
serve your success?
The truth is that your business can’t afford the
expense of a negative thought. The energy expended on thinking and feeling
discouraged or fearful or depressed significantly reduces productivity and
results. If you are interested in saving your precious energy, start by noticing
any amount of time – seconds, minutes, hours, days! – when you are caught in
negative thinking. Immediately STOP and relax. Pull back your energy to the task
at hand, file those negative thoughts, and look for ways to enjoy what you are
doing. For instance, I decided to make writing easier for myself by first
relaxing with a cup of tea, and then imagining myself writing article after
article with ease. Saying affirmations, which are positive statements opposite
to your negative thinking, can help release the negative emotions more quickly.
Remember, whatever business you are in, YOU are the main asset.
Everything you do to improve the well being of this asset will reduce
unnecessary expense and increase success. Your productivity and sales will rise
and you will have an improved outlook, more motivation, and more joy as you work
and create.
For more help with patterns of procrastination and to be empowered for personal, professional, and financial success, contact Brook Montagna, M.S., Professional Coach call, 951-776-2844, or email at brook@mindfullifecoach.com.
This article may be reprinted for use in newsletters and websites
provided that the signature box is kept intact. Email notice of intent
to publish is appreciated: brook@mindfullifecoach.com
Brook Montagna, Life Coach
Coaching Individuals, Couples, and Groups
for Excellence in Life and Business
FREE Success Tips Newsletter, The Mindful Life
brook@mindfullifecoach.com
805-640-2445
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