🧭 The One Type of Thinking We Know That Works

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Eckhart Tolle on Negative Thinking

• How to Get Rid of Negative Thinking

• Favorite Posts I Found This Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

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How To Get Rid of Negative Thinking

The one type of thinking we know that works is negative thinking, and it doesn’t work in a positive way. Negative thoughts hold us back, derail our progress, and sap our energy. Yet, they often dominate our minds because of how our brains are wired. Today, we explore what negative thinking is, what experts say about it, and actionable steps to break free from its grip.

What you need to know: Negative thinking is when pessimistic, self-defeating, or critical perspectives dominate your mindset. It’s more than just feeling down - it’s an ingrained habit of focusing on what’s wrong, dwelling on past mistakes, or anticipating failure.

Psychologist Alison Ledgerwood explains why these thoughts are so sticky: “Our brains are Velcro for negativity and Teflon for positivity.” Negative thinking persists because it was (and is) a survival mechanism for us. It helped our ancestors avoid threats, but today, it often sabotages our mental well-being.

Why it matters: Negative thinking matters because it shapes how we experience life. Where your focus goes, your energy flows. Constant negativity affects more than just your mood - it rewires your brain, impacts decision-making, and blocks your ability to thrive.

1. The Psychological Impact: The American Psychological Association (APA) describes rumination as “problem-rehearsing, not problem-solving.” Repeated negative thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

2. The Neurological Impact: “What you dwell on rewires your brain,” meaning persistent negative thoughts create deeply ingrained patterns. You’re building the muscle of negativity.

3. The Behavioral Impact: Negative thinking creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you constantly expect failure, you’re less likely to take risks or seize opportunities, further reinforcing your belief in your limitations.

What do the Science and the Experts Say?

The average person experiences 6,200 thoughts per day, and 70% of these thoughts are negative or critical.

According to Trevor Moawad, studies show that negative thinking is 4-7 times more powerful than positive thinking, and what you say out loud is 10x more powerful than what you think. This means your words and thoughts have a profound impact on your mindset, emotions, actions, and outcomes.

1. Trevor Moawad

Trevor Moawad, a renowned mental conditioning expert and author, revolutionized how we think about mindset and performance. He emphasized the importance of neutral thinking - a concept that bridges the gap between unrealistic positivity and destructive negativity. Here are three impactful quotes from his interview with Ed Mylett:

• “If I am saying negative things out loud, then I’m increasing the probability of what I don’t want to happen will happen by 40-70 times.”

• “The right attitude is a competitive advantage.”

• “Your attitude is just a teeter-totter, it’s the direction in which you lean.”

These quotes highlight the power of your attitude and mindset. While many focus on positive thinking, Trevor sheds light on two key ideas: the destructive power of negative thinking and the practicality of neutral thinking.

In his book, Getting to Neutral, Trevor explains neutral thinking as accepting the past as real but refusing to let it dictate the future. This approach is particularly valuable in high-pressure scenarios, such as sports, where staying grounded in reality and focusing on controllable actions can lead to peak performance.

2. Amy Morin

Amy Morin, in her famous TED Talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, reveals how negativity drains emotional energy and limits mental strength.

The core of her message is simple yet powerful: growth often comes not just from what we do, but from what we stop doing. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger call this approach "inversion" - solving problems by identifying and eliminating obstacles rather than adding solutions.

Amy’s talk encourages us to identify habits that weaken our resilience, such as self-pity or dwelling on the past, and to replace them with intentional actions that build strength. The lesson is clear: mental toughness isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about embracing them with clarity and purpose.

3. Lanny Bassham

Lanny Bassham’s principles in his book, With Winning in Mind, underscore the critical connection between thoughts, words, what you picture, and performance. One of his most powerful ideas is his Principle No. 4: The subconscious mind moves you to do whatever the conscious mind is picturing.

He provides the example of a golfer saying, “Don’t hit it in the water.”

The problem? The subconscious mind doesn’t process the “don’t” and focuses solely on the negative image - hitting the water. By saying that and picturing what you don’t want, you’re putting the thought in your mind that it’s a possibility that you do hit the water. This increases the likelihood of the undesired outcome, as your subconscious mind gravitates toward the image you’ve planted.

So what can we learn from this?

Avoiding negativity doesn’t mean you always have to be overly positive. It just means becoming aware of negative thoughts and actively reframing them. It means harnessing the power of focus and where you choose to focus.

Five strategies to combat negativity and build mental strength:

1. Acknowledge and Reframe Your Thoughts: Notice when you’re stuck in a cycle of negativity. Ask yourself: “Is this thought helpful?” Replace it with a neutral or positive perspective.

2. Focus on the Present Moment: Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now teaches that “The present moment is all you have.” Ground yourself in the here and now, breaking free from thoughts tied to past regrets or future fears.

3. Practice Gratitude: Gratitude rewires your brain. Write down three things you’re grateful for daily to counteract negativity and foster positivity.

4. Limit Negative Inputs: Avoid environments or people that fuel negativity. Shola Richards calls this strategy “Connection is negativity’s kryptonite.” Surround yourself with supportive, positive influences.

5. Actively Suppress Unhelpful Thoughts: A Cambridge study found that “Suppression doesn’t mean avoidance—it means mastery.” Deliberately push aside repetitive negative thoughts to create mental space for solutions.

Bottom Line: Negative thinking is a powerful force that can derail your progress, sap your energy, and create self-fulfilling limitations. To overcome it, you must become aware of your thought patterns, reframe negativity, and focus on strategies that promote mental resilience and clarity.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What recurring negative thoughts are holding me back, and how can I reframe them into neutral or positive perspectives?

• What specific actions can I take today to limit negativity?

Favorite Posts I Found This Week

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