You Don't Have to Use Them

It’s easy to be negative because most thoughts default to what’s wrong.

Research suggests that approximately 70-80% of your thoughts are negative. It’s what researchers call our “negativity bias.” Your natural tendency is to:

• Focus more on negative experiences than positive ones

• Remember insults more than praise

• React strongly to negative stimuli

But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s helpful. Author Jon Gordon has this great line: “Being a positive person doesn’t mean you won’t have negative thoughts.”

Instead of trying to erase the negative thought, replace it. Instead of being mad at the negative thought that popped into your mind, choose not to use it.

Your performance relies on this skill. The quality of your relationships relies on this skill.

You want to be positive, or you wouldn't read or listen to the Optimistic Outlook. But achieving it doesn’t mean the negative thoughts vanish. You just get better at handling them.

P.S. Check out the Optimistic Outlooks podcast and leave a review to help the show grow.