Stop the Spiral: Quick Tips to Conquer Negative Thoughts and Boost Your Day

Ever feel like your brain is a runaway train of negative thoughts? You're not alone. Research shows that around 80% of our daily thoughts are negative. Yikes! But don't let that statistic derail your day!

This week, Tara Geraghty, a resilience expert and confidence coach (aka Tara's Voice!), dropped some serious wisdom on how to tackle those pesky negative thoughts and reclaim your power. She's been there, navigating incredibly tough times, and she's sharing a simple yet powerful framework to help you do the same.

Acknowledge and Pause: Catch Those Thoughts in the Act

The first step to taming those negative thoughts? Acknowledge them. You can't change what you don't notice. Tara suggests becoming aware of when a negative thought pops up. Ask yourself:

Where did this thought come from?
What triggered it? (Was it an email, a comment, a feeling?)

Once you notice that negative voice creeping in, pause. This tiny gap between the thought and your reaction is where your power lies. As Tara says, "This is just a moment. I get to decide what happens next."

Your Actionable Step: The next time you feel a negative thought bubbling up, simply say to yourself, "Hey, I'm having a negative thought." Then, take a breath. This pause disrupts the automatic negative spiral and gives you space to choose your response.

Choose Your Best Self: What Would They Do?

After you've acknowledged and paused, it's time to consciously choose how you want to respond. Tara's magic question? "If I was being the very best version of myself right now, how would I be being?"

Think about it. What would your most confident, resilient self do in this situation? Maybe she'd set a boundary, take a step back, or respond with calm strength. The amazing thing is, that best version of you is already within you. You just need that pause to connect with her.

Your Actionable Step: When faced with a triggering situation or a negative thought, ask yourself Tara's magic question. Visualize your best self and choose to act in a way that aligns with her.

Tell a New Story: Reframe Your Narrative for Stress Relief

Our brains love stories, and sometimes the stories we tell ourselves about our experiences can hold us back. Tara emphasizes that "Your story is your superpower." We assign meaning to events, and these meanings shape how we see ourselves and what we believe we're capable of.

The good news? You get to reframe those stories. Instead of letting a challenging moment defeat you, you can choose to see it as an opportunity for growth. Ask yourself:

Is this story helping me or hurting me?
What's a new story I can tell myself about this situation?

Maybe a tough project at work isn't a sign of your inadequacy, but a chance to learn and build resilience. Perhaps a setback isn't a failure, but a stepping stone.

Your Actionable Step: When you find yourself dwelling on a negative story, consciously try to reframe it. Ask, "What can I learn from this?" or "How can this make me stronger?" Choose a narrative that empowers you. This simple shift can be a powerful tool for stress relief and boosting your overall well-being. These productivity tips focusing on mindset can significantly impact your ability to focus and achieve your goals.

So there you have it! Three actionable steps to start taking control of those negative thoughts today. Remember, you've got this.

Want even more powerful tools to build your mental toughness? Tara's offering a free five-day resiliency challenge! You can find her as Tara's Voice on social media and check out her "Hey Girl, You Can" group.

What's one negative thought you're ready to tackle today?