What is a habit?

A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.

Thoughts can also be viewed as habits.

Are your thoughts a good or a bad habit? We can all agree that how we think can have a positive or negative effect on our overall lives.

So what if your thinking habits are affecting your life in a bad way. Well like all habits it takes time, patience and practice to break and change.

Here are a few simple techniques to help get you started:

1. Thoughts related to self-esteem: Listen to your thoughts carefully. Note whenever you tell yourself a negative comment. Take a deep breath and change that thought right there and then. Smile and give yourself a compliment.
2. Thoughts related to your capabilities: the most successful people on the planet repeatedly failed and made mistakes. Take comfort in that. Note whenever you put yourself down or feel that you are not good enough. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are doing your best. Smile and remember all that you have achieved. It may be big or small. Tell yourself that you are capable.
3. Thoughts related to your interactions with others: the majority of people on the planet are good and kind with their own problems and worries. If a person is mean to you it is not about you it is more about them. Learn not to take things personally. You are not a mind reader. Take a deep breath. Smile and forgive them. Tell yourself that you are a good person.
4. Thoughts related to your daily obligations: Do you find yourself saying I have to …….. or I must …….? Note when you use these phrases. Take a deep breath and change it to say I want to …… or I would love to …….. notice how this change of phrasing makes you feel. Smile.

Sometimes we need to fake it, before we make it. Changing our thinking habits can be viewed as learning to ride a bike. We fall off, we hurt ourselves, its difficult but if we keep practising it becomes easy. Then our thoughts like riding a bike become effortless and enjoyable.