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MENTAL DISCIPLINE
WATCH WHAT YOU'RE THINKING!
As the day unfolds, your brain is constantly at work -- sizing up situations, generating
ideas, weighing options, making decisions. That's the good news. The bad news is
that the thinking process can easily go awry and end up doing more harm than good.
Here are four warning signs -- and what to do to keep your thought process working
FOR you and not against you.
1. OVERGENERALIZING: "The last time we tried a team approach, it was
a disaster. Everyone had different ideas and pulled in different directions. Teams
just don't work here."
TIP: Be careful not to draw big conclusions from one or two experiences. Figure out
what went wrong with those earlier attempts, and build the lessons into the new effort.
2. EMOTIONAL REASONING: "I looked like such a fool when my notes got
mixed up during that presentation. People must think I don't know my stuff."
TIP: It's easy to jump to emotional conclusions when we're in the spotlight. But
don't assume the worst. People can distinguish between simple missteps (like mixed-up
notes) and more serious problems.
3. ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKING: "If I can't convince my boss that this project
is worth pursuing, I'll know that she wants me to resign."
TIP: Maybe so, but probably not. The reality is usually more complicated. Open a
dialogue with your boss so you can better understand where she's coming from.
4. SHOULDS AND OUGHTS: "I should be at that meeting, even though it'll
put me behind on my main project. I'm worried what people will think of me if I'm
a no-show."
TIP: Your top priorities can easily get disrupted if you fret over other people's
expectations of you -- or what you think they expect of you. Stay focused on what's
most important. If there's not a persuasive, mission-driven reason for being at that
meeting, don't attend. If you absolutely have to be there, get creative: attend just
part of the session or drop in by conference call. |
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