The way we think affects not only our feelings but also our behaviour. Everyone sometimes struggles with negative thoughts but if you think negatively all the time, you will not accomplish anything. Talent or experience will not help you if you can't control your own mind. This is true in careers just as it is in sport. Psychologist Amy Morin, the author of the worldwide bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, writes about this in an interesting article on Psychology Today.
Anyone can learn to think more productively. Start by realising the bad habits preventing you from achieving higher mental strength and thus also from success where you want to succeed. The following barriers in your own head are the most common ones.
Excuses
Can you not succeed due to circumstances or due to your boss? Try to stop making excuses. Focus on the things you can control. Think positively.
Expecting disasters
Do you always assume the worst will happen? Then it will really happen. You should focus on the worst case scenario only when it is really necessary to have a plan ready in advance to handle a situation.
Requiring others' approval
Do you try to do everything so that others approve it? Then you can't sufficiently concentrate on your tasks and goals. Rather concentrate on how to do your best.
Self doubting
Do you believe you can't achieve anything? Then it is quite possible that you will stop even trying. Try to make a list of your skills and accomplishments. Then read it carefully in moments of doubt. Don't think you are worse than others.
Retrospective doubts
Do you feel you have to second-guess every decision you make? Thinking about how you make decisions is important. However, this does not mean you should immediately doubt everything you do.
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