This week I was on a call & one of the speakers said something that really stuck ...
“Very few people take action on the positive - they operate on “oh I don’t want that to happen so I will do this”..”
So... The human brain has a natural tendency to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive one - they stand out more. Many of us don’t act on the positive but respond to the negative.
If I were to tell you - that fruits & vegetables can aid in keeping you healthy by providing you with fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents… you will probably say “yeah, I know” but continue to not incorporate them into diet.
BUT… if I tell you that if you do not eat them, then you are way more likely to struggle with digestive issues like constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis because you are depriving yourself of the benefits they have… with that information, I am sure next time you walk through the produce aisle that you will pick up at least one extra fruit.
&& this goes for EVERYTHING - When your boss or anyone really (who frequently praises your efforts and work) expresses concern over one aspect of your project, you can’t stop thinking about it..
Why are we wired like this?
To only focus on the negative?
I did some research & there is evidence coming from measuring event-related brain potentials (ERPs), which show the brain's response to specific sensory, cognitive, or motor stimuli. These studies have shown that negative stimuli elicit a larger brain response than positive ones.
Even though this seems to be “part of us”… I believe we can work to shift it.. because that negativity bias can affect us in many ways... can even hold us back.
So next time:
When you find yourself interpreting something in a negative way, or only focusing on the bad aspect of the situation, look for ways to reframe the events in a more positive light. Give fair and equal weight to good events.
Look for an uplifting activity to pull yourself out of the negative mindset
Go for a walk - listen to upbeat music
Start paying attention to the type of thoughts that run through your mind. Catch the negative & stop it immediately.
Give extra attention to good things that happen.
Be mindful - you are capable.
- SOWO Gonz
REMINDER:
Go prioritize yourself:
Your physical health matters.
Your mental health matters.
Your emotional health matters.
YOU MATTER.
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