The Impact of a Thought
Your thoughts are one of the most strategic tools in your leadership toolbox, shaping your future. A single thought can have the power to build or tear down a leader. This is because our behaviors are influenced by our feelings, and our emotions stem from our thoughts. Have you considered how your thoughts influence the leadership seeds you plant, your faith in yourself and others, and your perspective on the future?
Early in my career, I would get very nervous about standing before an audience to give a presentation. I remember one time when I was about to present a project to my leadership team and completely froze. It took a few seconds – though it felt like hours – for me to compose myself. When I finally started speaking, my voice was shaky, which by the way, had nothing to do with the coffee I had consumed.
After that episode, my manager Andy asked me why I had frozen when I knew my project so well. I told him it was because I didn’t feel confident in giving presentations. In his wisdom, he looked at me and said, “You’ll do better when you change that negative thought.” Andy was right. I worked to change my thoughts about giving presentations (it was not easy), and eventually started to enjoy sharing my ideas with an audience.
It’s important to be aware of how our thoughts influence our behaviors.
The Importance of Thought Management
I’m sure you’ll agree that if you see yourself as a winner, your behavior will align with that mindset, motivating you to strive for success. Conversely, if someone else (not you – wink, wink) sees himself as the opposite, he’ll feel like one, and soon his actions will reflect that belief. This demonstrates the powerful influence of thought in our lives.
It’s not a myth that our behaviors are driven by our thoughts. This is a powerful aspect of human psychology.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy used to help people improve mental health, has a model which validates this concept. The model illustrates that events lead to thoughts which in turn lead to feelings, and eventually result in actions. How we behave is not a direct response to an event, but rather an outcome of our thoughts.
While we cannot avoid a thought from coming to us, how we choose to respond to that thought, entertain it, or dispel it, is key. If that thought is a negative one, the consequences can be significant.
Let me give an example. Consider an upcoming interview (event). You might wonder if you’re qualified enough (thought), which leads to feelings of worry (feeling) about potentially being rejected. As a result, you might overcompensate during the interview by talking excessively (behavior) and not performing your best. Consequently, you didn’t get the job (consequence). Had you not entertained the negative thoughts by worrying, your confidence might have remained solid enough to ace the interview and land you the job.
By changing your thoughts, you can alter your feelings which will ultimately lead to a different outcome.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7 KJV
Consequences of a Thought
I could get scientific and say when we think positive thoughts, our brain produces serotonin which creates a feeling of calm. However, I’ll simply add that thinking positively can have a significant impact on our well-being. Essentially, positive thoughts can enhance our mental state, build faith, and help us overcome substantial challenges. Furthermore, happy thoughts can lower stress levels and improve our overall disposition.
Negative thoughts are the inner critical and judgmental voices that make us feel bad, sad, or anxious. We all experience them. No matter how strong we may be, a single negative thought can take root and grow into a large tree of unbelief that threatens our visions.
Negative thoughts can distort our perception and foster pessimism. Ironically, pessimism often leads to even more negative thoughts creating a downward spiral of stress that affects our health.
How to Manage Your Negative Thoughts
If you find yourself in a habit of negative thinking, or feeling powerless from all the negativity, there are several strategies you can use to regain control.
- Understand and accept the impact your thoughts have on your well-being.
- Pray. When feelings of doubt and negativity surface, find a way to manage them. Prayer is one of the most effective tools I know.
- Shift your focus. Redirect your attention from negative thoughts to positive ones by thinking of the good.
- Evaluate negativity rationally. Instead of responding emotionally, use logic to evaluate every negative thought; especially if it’s a persistent thought. One trick I use is to ask myself, “What if my teenager had that thought? What would I tell him?”
- Counter every negative thought about yourself. Respond to each negative self-thought with a positive affirmation and express gratitude for something in your life.
- Challenge negative thoughts about others. Counter pessimistic thoughts about a person with an affirmation regarding that person.
- Reframe negative situations. Counter negative thoughts about a situation by focusing on its positive aspects and envisioning its possibilities. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
While you cannot always dictate what negative thought comes to you, you can decide whether to dwell on that negativity or expel it from your mind.
It’s important for us as leaders and people of influence, to be aware of the significant impact of our inner voices and focus on the positive. By taking control of our negative thoughts, we can better navigate the path ahead for us and those we lead.
Empowered Leader Reflection
What tactics are you using to ensure your actions are guided by positive thoughts?
If this resonates with you, please share your thoughts with us below.
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