It seems like every time I try to do something or achieve something, I always think of my past failures. I hardly ever come into a new situation with positive expectations. I am always prepared for something to go wrong. Does anyone have any visualization techniques that helps you to remain positive and stops you from going over the failures and missed oppurtunies in life?
Also, I also seem to overanalyze a situation by going over everything I said or did. I always think of the negative.

Dr. Amen calls these ANTs, or Automatic Negative Thoughts. I don't really remember what he advises in terms of stopping and preventing them though...

I use several things to try and keep me on the good road. I'm not always as successful as I'd like to be but I try.

My first progress was by making sure I had at least some tasks that I was able to complete and feel good about. I was amazed at how simple these needed to be at first but it was necessary to have some success.

There is nothing quite like success to encourage more success. I was busy beating myself up about how simple the tasks were and that by this point in my life I should be on to bigger and better things but I managed to ignore those messages and begin with the things I could succeed at.

Once the ball was rolling so to speak I was safe. When I am faced with a situation where I hear those failure tapes playing I have learnt to stop and ask myself "what CAN I do" and then try and size up how big a chunk I might successfully bite off at that time. Usually once I get a starting point the rest just flows. It's getting started that is always tough for me.

I first started to practise that in early 1986. Since then I've managed to accomplish a few things I'm proud to put my name beside. Of course I never think it's enough but in my heart I know I've come along some.

My visualisation has to come from external sources. I make lame flow charts these days to help me visualise what I'd like to be committing to during the day.

Many here seem to respect the principles of Cognitive behavioural therapy. I don't know much about it but from what I've been able to grasp it's a technique of repeating the messages I would like to have playing not the destructive ones I already have going on. I'm having a heck of a time getting the hang of it.

Lastly and for me most importantly I get regular heart pounding sweaty exercise. Four times a week for half an hour at a stretch seems about right. This helps tone down the over thinking. It helps with everything. I also don't eat nearly as much sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes or rice. All those foods burn quite hot for me and I don't need to be any more wired up than I already am if you know what I mean..heh
Hope this helps you.
ian