Negative Thinking Bias: Can you change the way you think?
Ever felt like you were stuck in a circular state of being? That feeling where no matter what you do it all seems to go wrong? Or even that constant voice that seems to be telling you the same thing (maybe in slightly different ways). And none of them seem to be making things better?
It’s definitely not only you.
Subconscious Thinking
Did you know that research by neuroscientists and neuropsychologists has shown that up to 95% of your thinking is subconscious and habit driven? Axiogenics research has revealed that 85-95% of our thinking is driven, or greatly influenced by, over or under-valued thinking patterns that develop as we experience life, known as ‘cognitive bias’.
What does this mean?
Often we tell stories to ourselves, and the more often we play this story, the more the subconscious stores it and repeats it back to us. Turning this thinking into a habit. Whilst if all of our thinking were positively driven and led us forward in life, this wouldn’t be such a problem. However, the vast majority of our thinking is often skewed to the negative.
Negative Thinking Bias
We are geared to approach all situations cautiously, to scan for threats and make a decision if we need to fight, flight or it’s safe to stick around. Our subconscious has trouble determining that your life isn’t threatened in most workplace (or life) situations. It can often jump to defensive reactions, when a breath and pause may allow you to reassess the situation.
This type of thinking often shows in the way we approach problems through life and in the workplace. Constantly using words such as ‘wouldn’t’, ‘shouldn’t’, ‘couldn’t’ or can’t and largely laying the blame on others are a sign that you (or others) are caught in a negative thinking bias.
The Workplace
The workplace is a place where we ideally work with others in a collaborative way. Whilst we don’t necessarily choose who we work with, we often have chosen where we work, and why we chose this job or company initially would have originally resonated. The challenge for all of us is to find a way to share our thoughts and problem-solve collectively. And sometimes as time goes on, like in all relationships behaviours are learnt, and defences go up.
Often if we have personal conflicts with colleagues or our boss, we can get into a pattern of external thinking bias, in that we say things like “my boss shouldn’t do this” or “Mary can’t work with me.” These lay the ‘blame’ outside of ourselves and put it onto other members of the team. When we externalise our thinking in this way and lay very black and white thinking across it, there is little room for us to make a change, or look like we are backing down. We can create a situation where we are backed into a corner we feel we can’t get out of. Further enforcing our thinking.
If you were to take a moment and consider where your boss or Mary were coming from, you may discover a new way of thinking or at the very least have a moment to reconsider how to respond. You may even see where you can step in and make a positive change. Through being open to others’ ways of working and thinking, can create an open mind approach that opens opportunities to work together. Or even recognising where you sit within the workplace, and finding positive ways to work with people, can switch your ability to see solutions and how you react. From these things are happening to me, to I have the influence to shape how I work and the power to get what I want from my job.
This switch can be incredibly empowering and also feels so much better, as there is open-mindedness and positivity to taking control of your thinking. But it isn’t always easy.
Self Leadership
My research, study, and understanding of the Axiogenics approach has allowed me to develop my Self Leadership course to coach people into more positive ways of thinking and working. Which was developed by Peter Demares.
My Self Leadership programme is a three-phase development process that focuses on developing:
Clarity around your goals and what you want more of and less of in your work and life.
Developing active mindfulness about the thinking patterns that are unhelpful and sabotaging your efforts.
Creating new capability through learning how to pause, pivot and access your best thinking habits.
Allowing you to become self-aware of your current behaviours and thinking patterns. And coaching you to move away from unhelpful thinking, and become more curious and open to positive ways of thinking.
If you want to find out more about my Self Leadership course take a look and get in touch. An initial consultation will help us both find the way forward for you.
Rachel Hill is more than a certified career coach, she is a trusted mentor. Together, you’ll work through deep questioning, reflection and processes to help you develop your unique skills so you can turn your life around. Get practical advice and learn approaches you can start using straight away.
