Cognitive distortions are irrational,biased, or exaggerated thoughts about our own personality or simply about what happens around us.They warp our understanding of reality,thereby rendering us ill equipped to lead a fruitful life.Alice Boyes in Psychology Today has listed as many as 50 cognitive distortions.For Black and White cognitive distortion you can see this post.
Fortune Telling or Jumping to Conclusions is another distortion with which many of us might be familiar.As the very name suggests,those prone to this kind of thinking decide beforehand what the outcome of anything is going to be.They apprehend dangers where none exist,and permit their misgivings to guide their actions.The seed might lie in a painful past,lack of confidence,low self esteem,or innate pessimism.
Jumping to conclusions implies forming opinions and imputing motives to others without any substantive evidence.This kind of thinking is different from sixth sense or instinct.When you jump to conclusions about others' conduct without considering attending circumstances,you put up a wall against them. This can be detrimental to your relationships.
Those who denounce everything without even giving it a fair trial are usually creatures of habit who feel secure in their comfort zones.Whether it is about a new job,interview,or a change of domicile;they will start with the conviction that it is not going to work (positive fortune telling is rare).A lack of resolve and half-hearted efforts will result in fulfilling their predictions,reinforcing their way of thinking.
With the passage of time cognitive distortions mutate into automatic thoughts and influence our behavior significantly.Premonitions prevent us from picking our way forward in life.We could miss a lucky chance or a pleasurable experience.When our mind is repeatedly sending ominous signals, evolving and realizing our potential becomes difficult.Trashing everything new consigns us to a subpar,monotonous,lonely existence.
Naturally,this kind of thinking is deleterious for success and happiness.You can get out of this rut by being more mindful of your thoughts:-
How many times in a day do you presuppose outcomes and intentions?Recall,and write down the number of times this happened.
How often did you change your course because of a premonition?
Now check if these beliefs were supported by evidence.
Would a third,objective person have reached the same conclusions?
Are your assumptions doing you any good,or are they blocking your progress?
Would you be happier if there was less negativity and more accuracy in your thoughts?
Gyalwang Drukpa has put it very nicely-
"You will find life more relaxing and rewarding if you go about your daily life with a little more mindfulness which encourages appreciation,helps us be more generous and kind and so brings us happiness"
Fortune Telling or Jumping to Conclusions is another distortion with which many of us might be familiar.As the very name suggests,those prone to this kind of thinking decide beforehand what the outcome of anything is going to be.They apprehend dangers where none exist,and permit their misgivings to guide their actions.The seed might lie in a painful past,lack of confidence,low self esteem,or innate pessimism.
Jumping to conclusions implies forming opinions and imputing motives to others without any substantive evidence.This kind of thinking is different from sixth sense or instinct.When you jump to conclusions about others' conduct without considering attending circumstances,you put up a wall against them. This can be detrimental to your relationships.
With the passage of time cognitive distortions mutate into automatic thoughts and influence our behavior significantly.Premonitions prevent us from picking our way forward in life.We could miss a lucky chance or a pleasurable experience.When our mind is repeatedly sending ominous signals, evolving and realizing our potential becomes difficult.Trashing everything new consigns us to a subpar,monotonous,lonely existence.
Naturally,this kind of thinking is deleterious for success and happiness.You can get out of this rut by being more mindful of your thoughts:-
How many times in a day do you presuppose outcomes and intentions?Recall,and write down the number of times this happened.
How often did you change your course because of a premonition?
Now check if these beliefs were supported by evidence.
Would a third,objective person have reached the same conclusions?
Are your assumptions doing you any good,or are they blocking your progress?
Would you be happier if there was less negativity and more accuracy in your thoughts?
Gyalwang Drukpa has put it very nicely-
"You will find life more relaxing and rewarding if you go about your daily life with a little more mindfulness which encourages appreciation,helps us be more generous and kind and so brings us happiness"
Guess its better to believe in actual Fortune tellers.... Chances of them being positive is higher i think :)
ReplyDeleteHaha,quite true!
DeleteLove n hugs
True
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Deletenot easy to reach any conclusion so quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes,but still we do it often.Thanks.
DeleteI abhor negativity if any kind in my life.
ReplyDeleteRenu thanks for reading
DeleteBut the ones you've mentioned first have to recognize it's a problem. Most are happy in the wells of their own making, turning a deaf ear to the grumblings around them.
ReplyDeleteYes Purba,some people refuse to acknowledge or admit their own faults
DeleteIn fact they don't,even realize it,as,u have pointed out.
DeleteKeeping away from negativity helps tremendously.
ReplyDeleteSure it does.
DeleteTrue, Indu but just like Purba says the people who indulge in these behaviour should actually first realise what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteYes,that is the first step :)
DeleteThank you Rachna