Can we talk?
Do any of these questions ring true?
*Are you the kind of person who walks around with your face in a “permanent frown?
*Do you find yourself “sweating the small stuff” too much of the time?
*Do you focus on the negative far too often–instead of seeing the sunny side of a situation.
*Do you usually say “no” immediately to a new idea that is proposed to you, without
considering the pros and cons?
*Do you tend to perceive the world as a glass that is “half empty” instead of “half full”?
*Do your friends or family ften ask you “Why are you so negative?”
*Do you feel weighed down by worrying all the time?
Are you stuck in a negative rut?
Or do you have a friend or family member who seems to be like this?
I’m asking because I used feel that way a lot.
And it wasn’t a very productive way to live.
It was a dark time.
Sure, life is challenging and full of ups and downs…
But have you ever considered what you may be missing by focusing so heavily
on the negative instead looking for the positive in given situations?
Then here is a challenge for you…
Imagine yourself giving up all negative thoughts for 10 days.
Instead of merely getting by, you’ll find that your life can be truly exceptional when you
focus on positive solutions rather than the constraints of your challenges.
Thinking positively may actually “open your eyes and open your world” up to endless
new possibilities!
Are you ready to try a simple technique to “positively” change your life?
Then let’s explore the concept of a “10 Day Negative Thought Fast”.
What is a “Negative Thought Fast”?
A 10-Day Negative Thought Fast–originated by Emmett Fox, one of the most popular
self-help authors and speakers of the early 20th century–is a “personal best” adventure from
which you’ll “hopefully” reap many “positive” benefits.
“A ‘Negative Thought Fast’ is all
about focusing on solutions.
When the negative thoughts start,
the idea is to immediately start
contemplating ‘possible solutions’.
Spend your time ‘solving your challenges’
instead of simply focusing on them.”
How a 10 Day Negative Thought Fast Works
The rules are simple:
Note: If you break any of the rules, you must start the 10 days over from the beginning.
#1. Complete 10 consecutive days
To get the full effect, you must complete 10 consecutive days.
Giving up negative thoughts is a little like giving up a drug; you’ve got to stop using them completely,
otherwise you haven’t truly quit.
#2. 5 Minute Negative Thought Limit
You cannot focus on a negative thought or remain in a negative emotional state
for more than five minutes.
Ideally, the time should be much shorter.
Five minutes should be plenty of time to recognize what’s going on and put a stop to it.
Remember, even one instance of lingering for more than five minutes means starting over.
#3. Flip Your Focus to Solutions
You must focus on solutions.
When the negative thoughts start, the idea is to immediately start contemplating possible
solutions.
Spend your time solving your challenges instead of focusing on them.
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably had the same challenges for quite a while without resolution.
It’s time to try something else instead of dwelling on what’s wrong.
“This sounds deceptively easy,
but you may be surprised how
difficult it is to give up negativity.
We tend to think that worrying
helps in some way.
But you’ve probably been
worrying about a lot of the same
things for a long time and
they haven’t improved.”
When you’re faced with a negative thought (and there will be many!), the best response is to think to
yourself, “How can I solve or improve this challenge?”
The point is to immediately begin focusing on solutions.
When you ask a good question, you’ll receive good answers.
Over the 10 days, you’ll begin to form a habit of immediately recognizing a negative mental state
and then focusing on solutions for what you feel negatively about.
If you continue the process after the 10 days are completed, you’ll develop a permanent habit
that will only require a minimal amount of maintenance.
You might need several attempts to complete the full 10 days.
It’s common to have numerous slips on day one and then a few others later in the process.
Refrain from beating yourself up over it.
Remember, you’re focusing on solutions.
Ask Yourself Positive Questions
One way to help keep the negative thoughts at bay is to ask yourself positive questions
like the following:
• What do I like the most about this?
• What am I most proud of?
• What am I most looking forward to?
* What would I really like to do?
* What’s the “up” side of this opportunity or situation?
• What’s great about today?
You get the idea…
And while you are at it, smile a lot more often.
You’ll be surprised at how good it will make you feel!
If you’re filling your mind with positive thoughts, there’s less room for the negative stuff.
And since we can only consciously think about one thing at a time, making the most out of your
thoughts makes sense.
Try these Positive Thinking Affirmations
You become what you affirm.
Say your affirmations 2x a day.
Start in the morning, as soon as you can after waking up.
This ensures you have a positive start to the day – that the first thing you start thinking about
are your goals and ambitious, and of course, that you are thinking positive thoughts!
Change Your Outlook, Seek the Solution
Try this 10-day experiment and see if it doesn’t change your outlook on life.
Shifting to more positive perspective has certainly worked for me.
I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Changing my approach has altered my energy!
I feel so much lighter!
Sure I have problems, but I don’t let them weigh me down.
Now I ask myself probing questions, seek solutions and accentuate the positive.
So start this process today and change your no to a yes, change your frown to a smile
and change your life for the better.
Remember: If you continue the process after the 10 days are completed, you’ll develop
a permanent habit that will only require a minimal amount of maintenance.
You’ll be so amazed at the results that you’ll never want to go back to the old way of simply
dwelling on the challenges in your life.
And don’t just keep this technique to yourself, try help someone you care about.
By embracing the positive, you will open yourself to a whole new world of possibilities.
And that’s a good thing.
How do you deal with negative thoughts and challenges? What has worked for you?
Share your suggestions and experiences with us.
Sharing is caring. Feel free to share this post with friends, family, fans and followers.
“Shared at Coffee and Conversation”
Hi Deborah…I just found your site on the FB post for Women of Midlife. These are all great reminders and I had completely forgotten about Emmett Fox’s Negative Thought Fast! Not only do I appreciate that reminder–but all of your suggestions are excellent. Probably the greatest thing I do personally is meditate with my husband each and every day. We did it sporadically for years but about 3 years ago we made the solid commitment to do it together every single day. Our meditation is a bit of silence, prayer and sometimes music. We mix it up a bit to keep us focused–but it ALWAYS brings me back. My other recent thing is doing a 30-day gratitude challenge every November on my blog….this year I am linking 30+ posts from around the blogosphere that apply to gratitude and thanks-living. If you have one you think might work for me, please let me know okay? You have a great site and I would love to see what you have to add about gratitude. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I am thrilled that you connected with me and shared your thoughts and experiences as they relate to this post. It means the world to me.I do have some thoughts about the subject of gratitude that I was thinking of writing this month in view of Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be grateful for. I will get back to you shortly about that. Thank you so much for sharing your rich and inspiring comments. I sincerely appreciate it.
This was the perfect post for me to read today. I have been on a journey to ban negative thoughts and I have seen results but I could use a little tweaking and I love the idea of a negative thought fast!! I’m ready, thank you so much!!
What a pleasure it is to know that this post resonated with you! With all that life throws at us, it is so helpful to fight back with a positive attitude. I enjoyed reading your blog so I know you have a sense of humor. Keep smiling!Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
I love this idea! There are way too many people that say at least one negative thing a day about themselves. This is a great way to take steps in the right direction. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Esther,
I am so glad that you like this idea. I too find that so many people are much too negative in their thoughts, outlook and communication. What a difference it would make it more people accentuated the positive, more often. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
Funny! We posted at The Women of Midlife right next to each other. This might be JUST what I need to stop all the doubts and insecurity I have rooting around in my head. Book marked!
I could not have said it better myself. I believe you can find the good in many things if you look hard enough.
Bam! We’re going to change the world Deborah one positive thought after positive thought! Love this and happily sharing. xoxo