Mindset Part 2: Preventing Toxicity in Your Mind

Positivity is hard to do, especially if you are an individual who sees the world from a very practical stance. As mentioned in my video, it takes practice, mental discipline, and effort to be positive and think this way continuously. Positivity can be achieved if you are willing to make an effort. It is a habit that can be formed with your willingness.

Have you ever had these thoughts? “Why is she coming at me again?” “Why do I feel like they are attacking me?” “Ugh, I hate my colleague; she’s always competing with me.” These are common phrases that I hear in the workplace. And I will not discount their validity. It is true sometimes these behaviors happen, and they may happen to you.

Toxicity in our brains is formed when we continue thinking these thoughts. In my latest video,

I explain that eventually, such conscious ways of thinking become routine, where we believe that the entire world is coming at us. Again – nothing out of the norm. Nevertheless, it is exhausting to continue thinking this way as it will embody your way of seeing the world. I want to share the following strategies to help you create a healthy habit of living in the moment while preventing toxicity in your brain:

Picture Credit: Unsplash.com by Mathilda Khoo

Control your perceptions. If you believe that everyone is coming at you all the time, they will always be coming at you. This is a self-victimization mindset; the only person you are hurting is yourself. Controlling your perceptions begins with you. When you live in the moment and do not overthink, you do yourself a huge favor! Living in the moment means avoiding the “what if” thinking syndrome. Don’t overthink because you will act on it when you do. This way of thinking enters your subconscious, and when it does, you will, without knowing, take in what others say, react to it, and perceive the world as though you are being attacked. This leads to a fixed mindset. And with time, coming out of this mindset will be mentally and emotionally difficult.

Act appropriately with your actions. When you overthink, you will react at a rapid pace. You will act on impulse and emotions. Acting on impulse and emotions always leads to negative consequences, and you will end up hurting yourself. Do you want to always end up apologizing? Or living in a cycle where you feel sorry for yourself? Ask yourself these questions and think about your response. Spend a few days thinking about the feeling of being “poor me”. What will you do about it?

Accept that there are things outside of your control. When you accept that the behavior of others is something you cannot control, you will find a sense of self-peace. In the workplace, you and I both know that we cannot control that a boss who is sneaky and micromanages or a colleague who deflects, projects, and/or views collaboration as competition. You also cannot control if a family member throws digs at you out of insecurity and self-preservation. But you can control your perception and, thereafter, your actions. If you truly believe someone is throwing digs at you, then remain calm. Your calmness will stop their behavior. Sometimes people do and say things that hurt to get a reaction. Don’t react!

Let’s start this new year with mental agility and self-discipline. You will act calmly and patiently if you control your perceptions and live in the moment. And remember, be willing to accept that you can only control your reactions, actions, and thoughts.

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