Do you ever find yourself thinking about all the things you should have done or could have done? Do you ever replay awkward conversations in your head or worry about the future? Welcome to the world of unproductive thought patterns!

We all have unproductive thought patterns that pop up from time to time. They can be frustrating, anxiety-inducing, and even downright silly. But don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, here are a few of my favourite unproductive thought patterns and let's see if we can have a good laugh about them.

The "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" Loop

This thought pattern is all about dwelling on the past and imagining all the ways you could have done things differently. "I should have studied harder for that exam." "I would have been promoted if I had just spoken up more in meetings." "I could have saved more money if I had just skipped that vacation." Sound familiar? The truth is, the past is in the past and there's no changing it. It's time to focus on what you can do now.

The "What If" Game

This thought pattern is all about worrying about the future and imagining worst-case scenarios. "What if I get fired?" "What if I never find love?" "What if I get sick?" The truth is, the future is unknown and worrying about it won't change anything. It's important to focus on what you can control in the present moment.

The "Comparison" Trap

This thought pattern is all about comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate. "Why can't I be as successful as that person?" "Why don't I have as many friends as that person?" "Why can't I look like that person?" The truth is, everyone has their own unique journey and comparing yourself to others only leads to negative self-talk. It's important to focus on your own strengths and accomplishments.

The "Mind Reading" Game

This thought pattern is all about assuming what others are thinking and feeling without any evidence. "They probably think I'm stupid." "They must be mad at me." "They're definitely judging me." The truth is, we can never truly know what someone else is thinking or feeling. It's important to communicate openly and ask for clarification if needed.

Now that we've had a good laugh at these unproductive thought patterns, let's talk about how to break the cycle. The key is to recognize when these thoughts are happening and consciously choose to redirect your focus to more productive and positive thoughts.

Here are a few tips to get started:

Learning how to approach life and our circumstances with an expanding mindset. Looking at the other side of what possibilities could also exist for the same situation or circumstance.
The name of the game is acceptance. Every part of your journey - the hard and easy, good and bad, ups and downs - are necessary to grow. Don't shy away from the challenge - it's where you'll find opportunities for growth and evolution.
Choose love and compassion in accepting the past, present, and future. Empathize with the other person's perspective, considering their beliefs and conditioning. Deliberately choose a new perspective that aligns with the emotions and experiences you desire. Finally, consciously release any thoughts that no longer serve you.

Remember, unproductive thought patterns are normal and we all experience them from time to time. The key is to recognize them and choose to focus on more positive and productive thoughts. So, let's laugh at ourselves a little and take control of our minds!

Listen to podcast episode 15 - Unproductive Thought Patterns