Let's learn how to change your thoughts.

If you want to know how to change your thoughts, then first you must rewire the way you’ve been thinking. Deciding to be happy and think more positively is a gradual progression.

Understand by just telling yourself to think differently is not going to work. You must make a conscious effort to change the way you view situations, circumstances and patterns of life.

Once you begin to learn how to change your thoughts, your world will also change.

Did you know a lot of who we are as individuals is because of how we were raised, what we were taught in our early childhood years and the events which took place during our youth?

For example, when we were learning how to use the potty, our parents taught us to wash our hands after we’ve done our business. As you grew older, hopefully, you were conditioned to wash your hands each time after going to the bathroom.

Seems like common sense? Well it was conditioning; a great conditioning which helps in not spreading germs.

Another great example is your belief system. If your family practiced a certain religion, you were brought up to believe and accept what you were told to be true.

For me as a Christian, I knew Sunday meant going to church!

There are so many other ways our thoughts about things have been conditioned. Some of those are good, while others are not.

Those which are not, you must learn how to change your thoughts.

Everyday becomes repetition and eventually we find ourselves getting into the habit of thinking a certain way. Ultimately it becomes second nature to us.

But, if you would like to know how change your thoughts you must first make the daily effort to do so.

1. Acknowledge you need a change.

First you must admit there is a problem. Once you realize your perception of life needs to be altered, you’re making the first steps towards a new way of thinking.

You are on your way to learning how to change your thoughts.

Next, change your confessions. Stop saying negative things like, “I can’t do this,” “I’ll never get my book published,” “I’ll never get healing from this sickness,” or “I’ll never get married.”

Understand the words you say have power and when you speak negativity you’re making those thoughts real by giving them life. Learn to reverse negativity by learning how to change your thoughts.

If you’re one who always looks at the glass have empty rather than half full, then you are one who does need a change.

Everything in life isn’t bad. Yes there are times when it gets rough, but know you can make it. A positive outlook can work wonders.

2. Change the way you react to situations.

When you’re rushing to work but then you encounter heavy traffic, are you one who easily gets upset or do you just accept the situation and make use of your time while in the car?

Maybe next time you will decide to leave a little earlier to avoid the traffic and since you will get to work earlier you can take time to relax, pray, catch up on reading of the newspaper or a favorite book.

By doing these things you are learning how to change your thoughts.

3. Ask yourself why do you do certain things?

Have you ever taken the time to ask yourself why you do certain things? For me, I’m one who takes pride in being on time to wherever I have to go. Growing up my mother was never late to appointments and I appreciate that about her.

As I grew older, I was never late to anything. I would rather be a hour early than a hour late. But then changes in life happen, especially when children become a part of the equation.

And always getting somewhere on time became a thing of the past. I gradually began to accept this reality.

Even when I get everyone up early, most times we make it there on time, but when we don’t I don’t let it bother me anymore. I accept it, take a breath and enjoy God’s creation as we make our way down the road safely to our destination.

Now I’m a mother and I’m trying to watch the way I react to every situation because children watch everything we do as parents and I want to instill in them not to over react to things which are out of their control.

4. Be patient with yourself. It’s going to take time to change.

Change can be difficult, hard and overwhelming. But change can happen, we just need to be patient and not beat ourselves up if it doesn’t happen overnight.

Consistency is the key. Stop putting it off until the next day. Practice change every day and you will see results.

For example, I wanted to lose my baby belly, but until I made up in my mind I was going to work out a couple of times throughout the week, my belly would have always be there.

A flat belly or strong muscles don’t just appear by sitting on the couch and watching the work out video. You must do the action.

You must learn to train your brain to think differently. Take some time every morning to meditate, pray, think and write down the goals you want to achieve on that day.

Work towards those goals and you will find you are able to accomplish so much. Whatever goal you didn’t get to that day, accomplish it the next day.

Never beat yourself up. It will all happen in time.

Return to Spritual Growth from how to change your thoughts