Cognitive restructuring
'Cognition' is a word used to denote a thought or belief, and 'restructuring' involves challenging a cognition by looking at the evidence for or against it. The basic idea behind cognitive restructuring is that thoughts themselves are not facts; you need to consider whether the thoughts you are having are true and to consider whether there are any other ways to thinking about a particular situation. At first this can be a real challenge: we often believe what we think and don't question our own thoughts. However, often our thinking is biased, and with perfectionism it can be biased towards thinking too negatively and harshly about yourself.
End of Session Six
The aim of this session was to challenge some of the misconceptions which underlie perfectionistic beliefs. The diary experiment was designed to challenge some of those beliefs around working hard and demonstrate how they might not hold true in your life.
Session Seven will cover self-worth.
Take home message
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Challenging your beliefs around working hard can improve your productivity and prevent burn-out.
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Believing you need to work harder is not supported by the facts.
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Know your facts versus your beliefs.
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Take a break.
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Take a break.
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Take a break.
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This is not a typo. The key message is to take a break.
Before you go...
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