Before you can start to challenge your negative core beliefs, it’s important to understand the relationship between negative core beliefs, assumptions and negative thoughts.
One way to think about it is to distinguish that negative thoughts & assumptions are often the symptom or result of negative core beliefs.
Because all three work together, it can be hard to tell them apart but the following rules generally apply…
• Negative core beliefs often stem from early loss of failures experienced at school, work or personal relationships
• Assumptions are often the motivation for negative thoughts. Ex: If I say something I will be judged. The assumption is judgment. Assumptions often take the form of “if” and “then”.
• Negative thoughts tend to dominate the individual’ thoughts. Ex: Nobody cares about me, I should be happy…
Have you ever experienced a negative thought connected to a core belief?
