The Five Rs - A Negative Thought Stopping Procedure

Dr Jacques Dallaire

Copyright (c) 2006 Dallaire Consulting LLC

Rule #2 of the Seven Rules of the Mental Road states: "You
cant NOT think about whats on your mind". In fact, the harder
you try to not think about something that is negative, the
more powerful and entrenched in your mind that negative
thought becomes, and the greater the negative influence it has
on your performance. The only way to stop negative thoughts is
to shift your thinking to thoughts - and images - that are both
positive and productive with regard to your personal performance.
Since the human mind can only process one thought at a time
(Rule #1), you must actively choose to direct your mind toward
(i.e. focus on) a Dominant Thought that is positive, productive,
and directly related to how you want to perform. By doing so, you
will deny the mind the processor "capacity" required to dwell on
the negative.

The FIVE Rs are key words that summarize a Negative Thought
Stopping procedure that can help you achieve this goal. Each
word sets up the thought process for the next step in this
sequential procedure. Implementing this thought process on a
consistent basis, with intensity, is critical to successfully
learning to stop negative or counter-productive thoughts.

RECOGNIZE - Recognizing that you are having a negative thought
is a critical first step in learning to control negative thoughts.
Consciously increasing your awareness and vigilance with regard to
negative thinking will aid in the recognition and control of
counter-productive and self-destructive thinking. You must be "on
guard" to recognize the first signs of negative thinking in order
to crush that thought before it has a chance to fully form and
strongly take hold of your conscious mind.

REFUSE - You must refuse to allow the negative thought to
continue and gain strength by some positive and defined action
(e.g. visualize a STOP sign in your minds eye; snap a rubber
band across your wrist every time you have a negative thought;
etc.). You must do something to disrupt the negative image and/or
thought in order to prevent it from growing stronger. By doing
this, you begin the process of shifting your mind away from the
negative thought.

RELAX - Use any of a number of techniques that can help you
to relax: take a deep, controlled breath; use a verbal trigger
to shift your thoughts and feelings to a relaxing image; etc.
When you are relaxed, the effect of mental programming is more
powerful and you are ensuring that the next step in this 5-step
procedure will have an increased potential to be effective.

REFRAME - The 4th step in the Negative Thought Stopping
procedure serves to complete a mental shift toward images and
thoughts that are consistent with your best performance.
Replace the negative thought with a positive image or thought.
"I AM in control of my thoughts and actions, I can choose to
respond and think the way I want to." "Ive been here before
and done this before, so I know I can do it again." "This is
part of the process that I have chosen." Use imagery to see and
feel the performance you want to achieve and how you want to BE
as you achieve it. Become youre personal A.C.T.© model.

RESUME - Continue your activities with a sense of confidence
and control. You will always enjoy strong sense of confidence
if you tie this mindset to a personal commitment to always
give nothing but your best effort, regardless of the situation
or outcome. The degree of effort you apply to the challenges
that you face on an ongoing basis is totally, 100% within your
control... it is one of the few things that is, in fact, fully
within your control. Think about what you are like when you
perform with excellence and what you want to achieve, and
develop your confidence by always applying your best effort to
achieve it. A.C.T.© like a Champion in word, thought, and deed.

The next time you feel negative thoughts grabbing hold, use
these Five Rs to effectively change your thought patterns and
bring about powerful results in your life. Make this simple
program your new habit!

Jacques Dallaire, Ph.D is the principal consultant of
Dallaire Performance Consulting. Dr. Dallaire has extensive
experience gained over the past 32 years working with more
than 1000 high-performance athletes and business professionals.
To access Dr. Dallaires entire vault of Performance Files, or to
learn about Dallaire Consultings business performance programs,
individual/sport programs and products, visit:
http://www.dallaireconsulting.com

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The 5 r's definatly have a place in everyone's life and Home
Business. Dr Jacques Dallaire gives us some very sound advice.
Remember you control your destiny,

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