Believe in Yourself: Overcoming Negativity Bias for Growth
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Chapter 1: The Desire for Self-Belief
Each of us yearns to have faith in ourselves. If you are part of humanity, you likely share this sentiment. Having confidence in our decisions and believing that we are interpreting reality in a healthy manner is a fundamental desire. We strive to see ourselves, our actions, and our choices positively. It's crucial for us to hold onto our dreams and trust in their attainability.
This instinct, however, can often clash with our evolutionary instincts. Our minds have evolved to emphasize the negative aspects of our experiences as a survival mechanism. For our ancestors living in caves, being alert to potential threats was vital for survival. “We possess traits that lead us to focus on negative elements in our surroundings that could pose dangers,” states psychologist Timothy J. Bono, PhD.
Though individual circumstances, such as trauma or recovery, may alter this predisposition, everyone has an inclination toward negative thoughts.
For instance, you might find yourself enjoying a great day until a casual remark from someone upsets you. You could end up dwelling on that comment, leading you to describe your day as “terrible” despite its overall positivity.
This tendency is known as negativity bias, characterized by our inclination to prioritize, learn from, and react to negative information more than positive (Vaish, Grossmann, & Woodward, 2008, p. 383).
I refer to this as “leftover” programming—innate reactions that were once beneficial but no longer serve us effectively.
Section 1.1: Understanding Negativity Bias
The manifestation of negative thinking varies among individuals, influenced by personal experiences. For instance, someone who has faced abandonment in childhood may react more strongly to reminders of that trauma, resulting in heightened negativity in those contexts. Major traumas can predispose individuals to more intense negative thought patterns compared to those who have not faced similar challenges. Recognizing how negativity bias affects us, given our unique histories, is essential for mitigating its influence.
Subsection 1.1.1: Awareness and Choice
By cultivating awareness, we can begin to identify these negative thoughts. Once we acknowledge them, we have a choice: we can either continue to react unconsciously as we have in the past or intentionally set these thoughts aside for later reflection during a healing process. This approach empowers us to make decisions that align with our desired life and diminishes the negative thoughts' impact.
Section 1.2: Embracing Self-Leadership
“Self-leadership is the practice of consciously guiding your thoughts, feelings, and actions towards your goals” (Bryant and Kazan, 2012). This skill can be taught and is a core principle in many personal development and life coaching methodologies. Developing self-leadership is crucial for achieving peace and success in any aspect of life.
Chapter 2: Healing from Trauma
To combat negativity bias, establishing a routine of intentional healing is essential. Trauma is an inherent part of the human experience; we all face hurt. Engaging in healing practices can lead to greater freedom and fulfillment in our lives.
In conclusion, the desire to believe in ourselves is universal, and we possess the ability to cultivate habits and practices that enhance this belief. This, in turn, paves the way for a more positive and rewarding life.