Time to kill ANTs.
No, I don’t mean those ants.
I mean this: Automatic Negative Thoughts.
Before the pandemic made hanging out with other human beings feel illegal, I spent a lot of time with people—people who wore socks with little Pikachus on them, people who listened to rap music, people whose laugh you could listen to forever. Long story short, different people.
As I was writing this, I recalled one of my favorite quotes from the author slash Godfather of Marketing, Seth Godin, “You can listen to what people say, sure. But you will be far more effective if you listen to what people do.”
So, I listened, and I noticed that most people have a negative reaction to…well, everything.
React vs. Respond
“Reacting is emotional. Responding is emotional intelligence.” Before letting an avalanche of emotion engulf all rational thinking, pause, inwardly lash out, internalize that mental image, and decide whether it’s worth having.
Ground yourself in the situation, and consider a myriad of options that are far more beneficial to your well-being and peace.
Negativity doesn’t have to be part of your daily routine.
Challenge of the week: Kill your ANTs.
