24 Seven January 2021

• I’m wrong
• I’m not enough as a man/woman
• Life has to be a struggle
• Success is hard
These are some of the most common of
many. Humans will do almost anything to
avoid change. You’ll stay in the familiar even
if it’s not comfortable because the thought
of change can be so uncomfortable. This is a
survival and protection mechanism that has
been part of our brains since we lived in caves
and threw rocks at our enemies. However,
these negative beliefs are often a huge obstacle
in our modern desires for health, happiness,
and spiritual fulfillment.
Let’s go back to Tom, obeying his
subconscious need to avoid
change. If Tom’s outcome
to most life situations is to
feel “I’m not wanted”, then
he has successfully dodged
change by staying in the
uncomfortable, but familiar
patterns. Nothing will
change as long as he keeps
collecting evidence to back
up his belief that he is not
wanted.
What’s your most negative
thought? How do you
perpetuate it? Be aware that as much as you
may dislike this about yourself, you also rely
on it to a degree. Can you recognize that
feeling of comfort in your body as you run
on the treadmill of past thoughts, beliefs and
patterns? Do you truly want to change? If so,
you must change your thoughts in order to
change your life.
Physically, your most negative thought
resides between your shoulder blades so it’s
not surprising that a great many people have
tight, painful or tense backs and shoulders.
The good news is that with intention and
conscious action, you can begin to release your
negative thought and your physical issues
at the same time. Once you’ve recognized
your negative thought, you’re on your way
to curbing it and halting this process of selfsabotage.
Awareness is the critical first step in
creating change.
Since “I’m not good enough” is one most
people resonate with, let’s use that in an
example of how to break free from allowing
your most negative thought to control you.
Close your eyes for a moment and recall the
“You must
change your
thoughts in
order to change
your life.”
last time you felt not good enough. Really feel
it in detail – the situation, who was there, what
was said - all of it.
Now ask yourself three questions: What am
I feeling now? What’s my body doing? What
thoughts and emotions come up?
These answers are key because they’re the
mental, physical, and emotional patterns you
repeat over and over. They’re how you embody,
“I’m not good enough”.
Go back over your answers and notice how
familiar they feel. Recognize especially how
you’re dwelling on past issues - this is no longer
about the current problem. You’re recalling
every time you’ve done something similar in
the past and using that to beat yourself up.
For most of us, our most negative thought was
formed fairly early on in life.
To make real change and break free of
this cycle, you need to stop using the past
as a model and instead stay in the present
moment. This involves catching yourself in
the act of recreating the same mental, physical
and emotional reactions and intentionally
replacing at least two of the three with present
moment responses.
If you can change at least two of your usual
reactions, you’re well on your way to breaking
this cycle of unhappiness and tamping down
your most negative belief.
Reality is about being in the here and now;
it’s the present that matters. Tuning in to the
present moment keeps you from using the past
as a reflex or reference to continue punishing
yourself. Present time is all we ever have and
it’s a gift. These are your first steps to living
free from your most negative thought about
yourself. It’s never true anyway…until you act
as though it is.
About The Author
LINDA MITCHELL
Linda Mitchell is a board-certified coach,
speaker, reinvention expert and LMT. She
empowers people who are stuck, overwhelmed,
or ready for change to release their struggles, gain
clarity, and balance and radiant health as they
move through life’s challenges and transitions
and step into their highest purpose.
To Learn More Visit:
www.LivingInspiredCoaching.com