How you can overcome negative thinking

No matter where in the business world you go, you will eventually shudder under the weight of negative thinking. Constant demands, shifting laws and regulations, a plethora of questions from staff, even client attitudes can force a good day to become a stressful one.

More often than not, once struck by a negative train of thought, it will persist like wildfire. Enova International’s Barbara Davidson points out that negative thinking has an impact on productivity, not to mention personal wellbeing. Such thoughts are also easy to pass onto others, and before you know it you’ll have a pessimistic workforce on your hands.

But there are ways to adjust your emotional state. As Davidson said: “Psychologists tend to agree that you need to become able to recognise negative thoughts that just don’t serve you well. From there, try challenging them by asking, ‘Is this thought true? Could it even be considered as helpful?’

“Going for a walk outside and some visualisation exercises can help you to calm down, while writing about a recent positive experience has been shown to reduce the intensity of negative thoughts. It also helps us to process and regulate emotions.”

Those are but a few of the recommendations set out by Enova International, in partnership with Quid Corner, in an infographic. In it, the two companies sought insight from authors, professors, psychologists and psychotherapists – and came away with numerous techniques that bosses can employ to “get back in the groove” during proverbial rainy days.

For example, by placing a flag on previously experienced negative thoughts, you’ll be able to identify and handle them better. Likewise, taking a breath and collecting your thoughts before you respond in anger or stress, will ensure the rest of your team works at full capacity, even if you can’t on that day.

For more, view the infographic below:

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