Price Pritchett is a veteran leadership consultant.

He argues that eliminating negative thoughts is more beneficial than simply relying on positive thinking. While he values optimism and positivity, studies show that people who actively address their negative thoughts pave the way for further progress.

Pritchett identifies the Five C’s of negative thinking:

Complaining – He observes that we often complain about things beyond our control. By eliminating complaints and focusing on improvement, we can redirect our energy more effectively.

Criticism – Consider the role criticism plays in your self-talk. Do you see yourself as half-empty or half-full? Do you focus on the good or merely spot defects? Are you quietly downgrading yourself, or do you share your observations in a way that encourages and leads to improvement?

Concern – Pritchett describes concern as nothing more than old-fashioned worrying. If you listed all your worries, you’d likely find that most never materialize. Minimize your concern.

Commiserating – The saying “misery loves company” applies here. If you join someone in their misery, don’t linger there. Instead, offer a helping hand and a kind word to help them rise to a better place.

Catastrophizing – Negative thinking can magnify adverse events into catastrophes, knocking you off your feet and hampering your performance. Don’t let yourself stay stuck—get up and move forward.

This list can help you gauge how much negative thinking holds you back. Break through it. It’s how you “happen to the world.”

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr