| Copyright © 2006 Dallaire Consulting LLC | | | | order to prevent it from growing stronger. By |
| Rule #2 of the 'Seven Rules of the Mental Road' | | | | doing this, you begin the process of shifting your |
| states: "You can't NOT think about what's on your | | | | mind away from the negative thought. |
| mind". In fact, the harder you try to 'not think | | | | RELAX Use any of a number of techniques that |
| about' something that is negative, the more | | | | can help you to relax: take a deep, controlled |
| powerful and entrenched in your mind that | | | | breath; use a verbal trigger to shift your thoughts |
| negative thought becomes, and the greater the | | | | and feelings to a relaxing image; etc. When you |
| negative influence it has on your performance. | | | | are relaxed, the effect of mental programming is |
| The only way to stop negative thoughts is to | | | | more powerful and you are ensuring that the |
| shift your thinking to thoughts and images that | | | | next step in this 5-step procedure will have an |
| are both positive and productive with regard to | | | | increased potential to be effective. |
| your personal performance. Since the human mind | | | | REFRAME The 4th step in the Negative Thought |
| can only process one thought at a time (Rule #1), | | | | Stopping procedure serves to complete a mental |
| you must actively choose to direct your mind | | | | shift toward images and thoughts that are |
| toward (i.e. focus on) a Dominant Thought that is | | | | consistent with your best performance. Replace |
| positive, productive, and directly related to how | | | | the negative thought with a positive image or |
| you want to perform. By doing so, you will deny | | | | thought. "I AM in control of my thoughts and |
| the mind the processor "capacity" required to | | | | actions, I can choose to respond and think the |
| dwell on the negative. | | | | way I want to." "I've been here before and done |
| The FIVE R's are key words that summarize a | | | | this before, so I know I can do it again." "This is |
| Negative Thought Stopping procedure that can | | | | part of the process that I have chosen." Use |
| help you achieve this goal. Each word sets up the | | | | imagery to 'see' and 'feel' the performance you |
| thought process for the next step in this | | | | want to achieve and how you want to BE as you |
| sequential procedure. Implementing this thought | | | | achieve it. Become you're personal A.C.T.© |
| process on a consistent basis, with intensity, is | | | | model. |
| critical to successfully learning to stop negative or | | | | RESUME Continue your activities with a sense of |
| counter-productive thoughts. | | | | confidence and control. You will always enjoy |
| RECOGNIZE Recognizing that you are having a | | | | strong sense of confidence if you tie this mindset |
| negative thought is a critical first step in learning | | | | to a personal commitment to always give nothing |
| to control negative thoughts. Consciously | | | | but your best effort, regardless of the situation |
| increasing your awareness and vigilance with | | | | or outcome. The degree of effort you apply to |
| regard to negative thinking will aid in the | | | | the challenges that you face on an ongoing basis |
| recognition and control of counter-productive and | | | | is totally, 100% within your control... it is one of |
| self-destructive thinking. You must be "on guard" | | | | the few things that is, in fact, fully within your |
| to recognize the first signs of negative thinking in | | | | control. Think about what you are like when you |
| order to crush that thought before it has a | | | | perform with excellence and what you want to |
| chance to fully form and strongly take hold of | | | | achieve, and develop your confidence by always |
| your conscious mind. | | | | applying your best effort to achieve it. A.C.T.© |
| REFUSE You must refuse to allow the negative | | | | like a Champion in word, thought, and deed. |
| thought to continue and gain strength by some | | | | The next time you feel negative thoughts |
| positive and defined action (e.g. visualize a STOP | | | | grabbing hold, use these Five R's to effectively |
| sign in your mind's eye; snap a rubber band | | | | change your thought patterns and bring about |
| across your wrist every time you have a | | | | powerful results in your life. Make this simple |
| negative thought; etc.). You must do something to | | | | program your new habit! |
| disrupt the negative image and/or thought in | | | | |