Our brains cannot understand the difference
between
don’t
and
do.
If someone says,
“Don’t think of a blue elephant.”
what comes to mind?
If the title of an article says,
“Don’t click here.”
what do you want to do?
Using “Don’t” to get clicks
may be a great copywriting trick,
but not so great for changing our lives.
When seeking to shift
your thoughts,
your habits,
your emotions,
it’s best to frame the change
in a positive fashion.
Instead of saying,
“I can’t have french fries,”
tell yourself,
“I always order the steamed vegetables.”
When it comes to emotions,
pushing them away by saying,
“Don’t think about that!”
only makes them stronger.
When you experience an
unwelcome emotion,
notice it,
welcome it,
and
be curious about
what it is
seeking to teach you,
then let it pass.
Don’t try this at home.
:-)
(Now, before we throw “Don’t”
out of our vocabulary,
there are some ways for it to be
helpful,
but that’s another article.)