We’re back with our series on cognitive distortions and how we can use mindfulness and positive psychology to combat these thoughts that can deter us from succeeding.
Cognitive Distortions are irrational thoughts and biased perceptions we internalise and subconsciously reinforce over time. These thought patterns are often subtle and are difficult to recognise as they are so ingrained within ourselves. All cognitive distortions are:
Tendencies or patterns of thinking and believing;
False and inaccurate; and
Have the potential to cause psychological damage.
The wonderful thing about mindfulness and being aware of our thoughts and behaviours is that once we have identified them, we have the ability to change them if they’re no longer serving us. So let’s discuss the third one!
MENTAL FILTER
Similar to overgeneralisation, this distortion is when a person focuses on one, single negative event, opinion, or piece of information and excludes all the positive ones that have been experienced or received before. In the dancing industry, this could be focusing on one negative aspect - e.g. a sickled foot in a retire - rather than the overall positive of achieving 5 pirouettes, making you think that you're a bad turner. Or, it could be being rejected from one contract despite having achieved several contracts in the past, leading you to think that you've stopped progressing as a dancer.
This mental filter can foster a pessimistic overview of life, only focusing on the negative. This can then manifest a cycle of underachieving as the energy and expectation going into everything is somewhat negative.
For dancers, it's important to realise that we do have off-days and progress is never linear. One negative comment does not outweigh the progress and success you've already achieved. I was always taught that if you're getting critiques, you're getting noticed, and therefore the person giving those critiques cares about your continual progression and overall success.
Critiques, and to some extension, negative comments, can be drivers for our own professional development. As humans, we are continuously learning and growing, and it is through trial and error where we grow substantially. In saying that, negative comments that are not constructive do not need to be considered. You are in control of the energy you give and receive, and if the negativity does not assist you in any way, let it flow into a void and give yourself the love and appreciation you deserve.
The takeaway here is that one negative in a sea of positivity is an outlier. We don't need to let it affect our journeys or our mindsets. We are so much more than that.
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