The thoughts you have lead to your actions. Those actions lead to results. Those results lead to your beliefs. Finally, those beliefs lead back to your thoughts. It is one giant circle, one that people get caught up in all day, every day. If your thoughts are primarily positive, this cycle can really benefit you. However, if they are negative, you can get caught in a trap that is hard to get out of. Here are some things you can do to uncover, understand, and change your thought patterns.

1. Wake up five minutes early. Grab a pencil and a piece of paper and write down all the thoughts that come to your mind. This is particularly effective first thing in the morning because your mind isn't full of daily concerns. Often your subconscious will bring up thoughts, feelings, and beliefs during the night, as well. After a week, examine all of those thoughts. Are they positive or negative? Are you excited to start the day or do you wake up feeling stressed? Do you wake up berating yourself for anything in particular? 
2. Make a list of positive messages. After you know what your negative thoughts tend to be, make a list of some positive/neutral things you can tell yourself when those thoughts pop up. If you wake up telling yourself that you are slow, try telling yourself that you are thorough or that you take the time to make good decisions. Don't swing too far to the other side so that you don't believe what you are saying. Bring it back to the center and tell yourself truths. This can take a long time because you will have to train your mind so keep with it.
3. Keep a thought record. When you have a strong reaction to something (feel a strong emotion), take a minute and write it down. Next, write down any thoughts that came to your mind during that situation. Thoughts and emotions are connected so examine them together. Now, write down any evidence that supports those thoughts and then any evidence that does not support those thoughts. This will force your mind out of its normal paths. Finally, write down a balanced thought that takes both sides of the evidence into consideration (like if you got frustrated doing a task your new thought might be "I can do this if I practice every day"). 

Doing these three things will start to raise your awareness of what is going on inside your mind. With effort, you can learn to control your thoughts and become the person you want to be. For more information, talk to a counselor like Dr. Stephen Brown & Associates.

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