We all experience moments when negative thoughts take over, trapping us in a cycle of doubt and frustration. When left unchecked, this mindset can cloud our judgment, drain our energy, and hold us back from taking positive action. The good news? There’s a way out.
This month, we’re spotlighting the incredible Professor Damian Hughes, an organisational psychologist and high-performance culture coach. Damian shares a simple yet powerful method to help you escape the cycle of pessimism and regain control of your thoughts.
How to Break Free from Negative Thinking
Damian’s approach is straightforward, practical, and, most importantly, sustainable. Here’s how you can start shifting your mindset today:
1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Thoughts
The first step to breaking the cycle? Stop fighting your feelings.
“Don’t try to deny or ignore that there is some degree of concern or negativity in your mind,” Damian explains.
Take inspiration from elite athletes—many embrace feelings of nerves before a big game because it signals that they are ready to perform. Instead of resisting negative emotions, recognise them as a normal part of the process. Acceptance allows you to shift your focus from worry to action.
2. Reconnect with Past Successes
When negativity creeps in, remind yourself of times you’ve succeeded. This can feel difficult in the moment, but Damian has a simple method to help:
Identify your negative thoughts and rewrite them into action-driven, positive statements.
For example, if your inner voice says, “I always mess things up,” replace it with, “I’ve faced challenges before, and I’ve overcome them.” Writing these down can reinforce the shift in mindset, helping you break free from the cycle of pessimism.
3. Use a Mental Stop Sign
Once you’ve restructured your thoughts, it’s time to stop negativity in its tracks. Sir Steve Redgrave, the legendary Olympian, used a powerful technique during races—whenever a negative thought surfaced, he would give himself a mental slap to shut it down.
Find a phrase, image, or action that acts as your personal stop sign. This technique can help you break the pattern before negativity takes hold.
4. Reinforce Positive Alternatives
Finally, make your new mindset a habit. Repeat your positive alternatives regularly and use them to replace old, limiting beliefs. Over time, this practice rewires your brain, making optimism and resilience your new default.
💡 Looking for expert guidance on breaking bad habits and building a high-performance mindset? PepTalk has a network of world-class experts ready to help. If you’d like to book Professor Damian Hughes for a PepTalk, email us at hello@getapeptalk.com to set up a free strategy call.
