Recently, when talking to one of my coaching clients, she mentioned how she wanted to start working out with a personal trainer, but she was afraid to make a commitment to working with one because she said she wasn’t good with commitments.
I pointed out to her that the “innocent” little thought she was thinking, “I am not good at commitments,” was in fact, a very toxic thought that needed to be changed. I went on to explain…
“Listen, just because you have the thought that you are not good at commitments, doesn’t mean it is true. But, you have believed that thought for so long now, that you believe it is the truth.”
She then went on to tell me all the different ways that she had failed with commitment.
And amazingly, that is exactly what the brain does when you have thoughts like that. It looks for evidence to prove your thought is correct.
I suggested that we try to find a better feeling belief for her to have by using what is called a “Bridge Thought.” Being that you just can’t change a negative thought to a positive thought, and instantly believe it; a bridge thought helps you to go from a negative feeling thought to a slightly better thought.
Here are a few examples:
Old thought: I am no good at commitments…
Bridge thought: I am open to changing my belief about commitments.
Old thought: I just can’t lose weight.
Bridge thought: I am willing to believe I can lose weight.
Old thought: I feel so inferior to my co-workers.
Bridge thought: It feels so good when I choose to believe that I am just as capable as anybody else.
Old thought: It seems I will never be able to make over $100,000.
Bridge thought: I am going to figure out how to make over $100,000, no matter what!
See how much better just rephrasing a reoccurring thought in your mind can make you feel?
I want you to remember this:
Everything you feel is created by a thought you are thinking.
Your thoughts create your emotions.
And all the actions you take in life are based upon what type of emotions you are experiencing.
Just think how much better life could be if you could learn to clean up your thoughts!
If you would like to find out more about the thought work I teach, sign up for a no-obligation mini-coaching session to see if coaching would be a good fit for you! Just send me an email at: shelle@shellewinkler.com.
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