Simple questions to avoid thinking traps

Here are some questions you can ask if you find yourself falling into thinking traps:

Are you jumping to conclusions? Try to slow down.

 Ask yourself, “What evidence have I based this conclusion on? Is this a guess?”

Are you experiencing tunnel vision? Refocus on the bigger picture.

 Ask yourself, “How important is this one aspect to the big picture?”

Do you tend to overgeneralise? Look more closely at the behaviours involved.

 Ask yourself, “Is there a smaller explanation than the one I have assumed?”

Do you magnify bad and minimise good? Strive for balance.

 Ask yourself, “Were there any good things that happened?”

Do you tend to personalise things? Look outward.

 Ask yourself, “Did anything else contribute to this situation?”

Do you externalise things? Hold yourself more accountable.

 Ask yourself, “What did I do to contribute to the situation?”

Do you try to read minds? Speak up and ask questions.

 Ask yourself, “Did I make my feeling known directly?”

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