Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) are unhelpful, self-critical thoughts that pop into your head automatically. They sabotage your focus and mood. Redirection is key to mental energy and winning the day.
Use this simple formula to re-wire your mind:
- Accept: Acknowledge the ANT without judgment (“I see you, thought.”).
- Reflect: Question the thought (Is this 100% true? Is it helping me?).
- Redirect: Replace the ANT with a productive action, realistic or empowering thought.
ANTs in Real Estate
They sound like this: “That seller’s going to list with someone else anyway.” “The market’s too slow to recruit right now.” “I’m not good on the phone.”
The Formula in Action
Take “They won’t call back.”
- Accept: “There’s that thought again.”
- Reflect: Is it 100% true? No. Some don’t, many do. Is it helping? No.
- Redirect: “I’ll leave a short message with one useful piece of local data, and follow up Thursday.”
The redirect is always an action. You can’t argue with an ANT forever, but you can out-work it. Catch one a day, run the three steps, and write down what you did. By next month, they’ll show up less often.
For a deeper look at Dr. Daniel Amen’s work on ANTs, read Stop the Mind Ants: How to Crush Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs).
Framework: This post is part of Action Produces Data, the coaching framework for consistent production: take the next right action, track it and let the results, not opinions, guide what you do next.
Want help applying this in your brokerage? Book a 30-minute conversation with Mark at calendly.com/mjsession.
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