10 Thoughts to Remove from Your Mind

remove thoughts

“The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking.”
– Robert H Schuller

Have you ever wondered how some people are able to overcome incredible adversity, while others remain stuck, defeated, and struggling to handle failure?

There is a common thread between the “rags to riches” and underdog stories of victory.

What’s the common thread?

–         A resilient spirit and ability to bounce back from failure.
–         A determination to learn and get better instead of getting bitter.

A resilient person is tough, they don’t give up and they find ways to get through the obstacles they face.

Whatever you are going through, you have the option of whether to give up and give in, or to push through the pain and difficulty.

If you don’t have the grit and resiliency you would like, it is because your “thoughts” are leaving you filled with resistance, fear, judgment, or doubt.

Notice what keeps you from persevering and staying committed to your dreams. It’s your thoughts, isn’t it?

Fortunately you can learn to think in ways that help you persevere and never give up!

It’s time to think more optimistically, focus on learning and growth, and look for opportunity instead of problems.

It’s time to stop the failure thinking, and start thinking and living like a winner.

Here are some thoughts to avoid so you can transcend the hell out of failure.

1. “I already know everything I need to know.”

Often the most stubborn people struggle with failure and setbacks. When we assume we already know everything there is to know it makes it difficult to understand why we aren’t succeeding.

How to reframe: People are always learning. If something isn’t working for me, there is probably another way to look at things. I am constantly learning each and every day.

“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few. ” ― Shunryu Suzuki

2. “I don’t need help from anyone. I can do this on my own.”

When we are unwilling to seek out and accept the help of others we are basically deciding to learn the hard way. We all need help from others, whether it’s emotional support or actual resources. No one made it to the top without the help of others.

How to reframe: It is okay to ask for and accept help from others. It is actually more courageous to seek help than to deny I have a problem. Getting assistance from others is a necessary step in reaching my potential.

3. “I should always be in control.”

If there is one thing constant in life it’s change. There are many things out of our control and learning to accept what we cannot change is pivotal in overcoming life’s obstacles. Learning to let go allows us to live with greater peace of mind.

How to reframe: I am adaptable and able to change along with my circumstances. I will focus on what I can control and accept what I cannot change.

4. “If I fail it means I’m a failure.”

There is a big difference between making a mistake and failing to reach a desired outcome, and actually viewing ourselves as a “failure.” We will fail but that is a part of the process. Who we are doesn’t change because of our mistakes.

How to reframe: I may not like to fail but it is inevitable and I can find the silver lining. When I fail, I will learn what I can do different next time. I will use failure as my teacher.

“Don’t be afraid of missing opportunities. Behind every failure is an opportunity somebody wishes they had missed.” – Lily Tomlin

5. “I’m not smart enough, old enough, rich enough… (You fill in the excuse).”

There could be countless reasons why you’re not ready or prepared to achieve your goals. Notice your excuses. Determine what limiting beliefs are holding you back and realize the lies you are telling yourself.

Reframe: I may not have the ideal circumstances but I will use what I have and be the best I can be. I will stop making excuses and following beliefs that don’t serve me.

6. “I’ll never get over this problem.”

This is a classic pessimistic interpretation. If we believe things will never get better we won’t be very motivated to work through problems. No problem lasts forever unless we make it a problem for forever.

Reframe: No problem is permanent. I can deal with whatever I am facing. It may not be easy but I know that all problems pass with time.

7. “My circumstances won’t allow me to do that.”

Many times we blame our environment on our failure. We use our job or boss as the reason we can’t get ahead. We even go as far as to blame society for our own issues. Talk about giving away accountability and power.

Reframe: I am the co-creator of my life. My circumstances do not define me. I will take action and create the circumstances I desire. No more letting my external world determine my state of mind.

8. “I have never been the type of person to do that.”

It is easy to base what we are capable of doing in the future on what we have done in the past. If I have failed at something over and over again, it is easy to assume I’m not meant to do it. It is a fact that learning anything requires practice and with enough practice we can do just about anything.

Reframe: I will let go of my past identity. Just because I haven’t accomplished my goals doesn’t mean I never can. The past is in the past, and I will take the necessary steps to mold my skills, talents, and traits.

9. “I not good at dealing with stress.”

We can all learn to manage stress more effectively. Frankly the more stress we deal with effectively the more natural it becomes. We can all learn new ways of thinking and behaving to help us handle stress, and ultimately build up a stress tolerance.

Reframe: Stress is normal and healthy as long I learn to cope with it. Stress exists to communicate what my needs are. I will listen to my stress and find a healthy way to cope with it.

10. “What will other people think of me?”

Worrying about what other people think of us is part of the human experience. We tend to want people to like us and approve of what we do. However, this is also a trap because we may sabotage our own wellbeing and success if it means someone else will give us approval.

Reframe: Other people are more worried about themselves they are about me. I need to focus on what I think of what I do. I will follow my truth despite disproval from others. I will live with integrity.

Start paying attention to your thinking. Notice your failure thoughts and begin to reframe these thoughts to help you manage setbacks and obstacles.

Photo by martinak15

26 thoughts on “10 Thoughts to Remove from Your Mind”

  1. Thanks for the great post, Joe. I pride myself on being a positive person, but was HORRIFIED a few years ago when I really started paying attention to my own, private thoughts. I would NEVER be as hard on others as I was on myself and started to change that. I’ve come a long way baby, but it still never fails that if I’m having a bad day, then I check my thoughts. They’re always negative. So I just flip ’em over like a pancake on move on. Positive thoughts = positive actions.

    1. Hi Marcy,

      I totally connect with what you’re saying. It’s easy to have those funks and down periods when we start doubting and criticizing ourselves. But like you said,with positive thoughts we are more likely to take positive action. It’s all about reframing our thinking to focus on a more helpful and productive thought! Thanks!

      1. “Reframing our thoughts” sounds so much more articulate than “flipping ’em over like a pancake.” Thanks for responding!

    2. Joe, I love this post! so much in fact that I forwarded it to my kids and My dear friend who is also becoming a Life Coach! Thank you!

      Marcy, I love what you wrote about flipping the negative thoughts over like a pancake! Thank you for that I will use it when thoughts get murky.

  2. Hi Nicola,

    Thanks for commenting! I think needing to be in control is common sentiment. For me, I tend to fall into a victim mentality when I don’t feel things are going how I want. There is certainly a connection between many of these thinking patterns!

  3. These excellent reframes require that people turn away from fear, self-pity, and a lack of poise. For a person living in the old frames, the new frames require a massive shift in consciousness. They require that we love life, no matter what is happening.

    So, how to make such large scale changes in perception? We can’t skip levels of development. We can only take the next step from where we are.

    To move to our next level of development, we cannot reframe our lives alone. We need learning partners. Partners may be our spouses, our friends, our family, or counselors and therapists. Want to move toward a more loving life? Let’s find someone(s) who will join with us in learning how to love.

    1. True, although one has to be careful that it’s not becoming “I am unhappy, so I am seeking a partner that makes me happy”. The resulting relationships typically fail because it is very hard to love someone who doesn’t love themself.

    2. Hi Gary,

      Thanks for the comment! I agree with you. It is easy to be ideal about something like this, but really it is easier said than done. For me it takes daily reminders and is a life long practice. The people I surround myself with certainly helps though.

  4. It’s amazing how someone can think they have it all figure out but it’s not working out.

    I feel at that moment you have to take a step back and figure out if there is something else you could do, something that you are unaware of.

    It’s really an opportunity to learn and grow. Some just don’t realize it.

    ~Lea

  5. Great post! The important thing in life is to replace our negative thoughts with positive ones and a belief that we can reach the goal, however distant and difficult, if we try hard enough.

  6. Joe,
    Thanks for the critical list of falure thoughts or failure self talk. The reframe part is a great wy to make them positive and success directed. Have been a fan of Shad Helmstetter and now a fan of your work, will keep this post for reference. Thanks

  7. A great list. #2 and #3 together overcome the crap concept of a sovereign soldier backlit by the sky. Go with the flow, take what opportunities come, and engage the world as a member of the community. #5 ~ I’ve often heard the flip excuse, “I’m too old”. Gives me indigestion.

  8. Thanks for this post! #s 5 and 7 very much resonated with me. Thanks for the reminder to stop making excuses and letting my circumstances define my potential!

  9. Wow! The post is more than amazing, all these failure thoughts have been bringing me down but now am empowered, and it’s time for me to go back to the drawing board and start learning. Thanks JOE.

  10. These are great, Joe, but I REALLY like the reframing. Nature abhors a vacuum…and so do our minds. If we take something away, we have to give something back. You filled in the blanks perfectly! Great article.

  11. Failure may either throw us into a quagmire of depression or it may be an opportunity to introspect and re-invent oneself. If I take a wrong road, it is wise to seek help from others and change direction. Success always comes with effort and perseverance and failure comes easy. A seed takes years to grow up into a tall tree- given right environment. Sound practical tips to success in life.

  12. A great post Joe, every single point you make is so very true. There are so many people that suffer with these thoughts all the time in one way or another, me included in my past. But as you say the past is the past, we can all have a different future. Number 7 is a classic with so many people not seeing beyond their own circumstances and allowing them to hold them back and not take action. Present circumstances cannot stop you, all change starts from within.

  13. I’m just catching up on my Change Blog reading! What a wonderful post, Joe. As many of the other comments stated, these thoughts are universally challenging for so many people. I also love the idea of reframing. The idea is more gentle – I’m less likely to beat myself up when I’m trying to reframe my unhelpful thoughts versus trying to change them or get rid of them.

  14. The above article is truly effective. Especially, the way of viewing things negatively has been framed out and refined in a positive way. Its amazing. It has changed the mindset by making all the things well figured and has changed many perceptions . in fact it has brought to a halt of being a pessimist. Thank you so much !

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