Ants in your pants might be better!

Most of us have heard the expression ants in your pants.  It is usually recognizable by fidgeting, restlessness, and general kinetic craziness.  Did you know you can have ants on your mind? 

In Coaching, ANTs is a common phrase used to represent automatic negative thoughts.  For example, you are a single person and you meet a great possibility but instead of walking your beautiful/handsome self over and charming this individual with your wonderful self, you think, “I’m too —-(fill in the blank, stupid, plain, poor, unexciting) to have him/her notice me.”  OR, you find yourself thinking of a great life altering, career expanding, self motivating plan but instead of beginning the process to self-improvement, you think, “I can’t do it.  I’m not good enough.  It’s too crazy.  I’m too lazy.  People would never understand.  It’s too big a plan.” 

These are Automatic Negative Thoughts that can keep us from fulfilling our dreams, goals, or destiny.  We all have them.  Maybe yours change from day to day, project to project.  Maybe they are the same ones that have whispered in your brain for a lifetime.  Maybe you only occasionally have these self-esteem lacking moments.  Maybe you cannot ever shake them.  In any case, they can keep you from moving forward.  They can prevent you from becoming the person you want to be or having the life you dream of having. 

What can you do?

It’s simple, but it might require practice.  Change your ants!  My son says change your ants to pants, which he thinks is funny and we created our own acronym (powerful automatic new thoughts).  If you think I can’t, correct yourself with I can.  If  you think I’m not, think I am.  If you are struck with words in your head that cut you down, exchange them for words that raise you up.  For example, “I’m weak” may be “I am kind and generous and allow others to showcase their talents.”  “I’m pushy” may become “I have a strong will that carries me through crisis.”  “I am unattractive” can be “I have strong features that embody the strength of my heritage; the courage of my life.”  “I am unimpressive” changes to “I am impressive.  I am unique.  I am amazing!”  Try it!  Begin changing your life for the better today.  Send those ants scurrying away.  Don’t let your brain be the picnic playground anymore, or at least, not as often!