Mind Traps
Roadblocks
Improving our WOT
Challenging Mind Traps
100

I didn't get to do my nightly cleaning last night, I am such a slob! Might as well stop even trying.

What is the all or nothing trap?

100
The only reason I'm in trouble is because my brother is a narc and made a big deal out of something stupid. It's all his fault!

What is blaming

100

I'm scared about what will happen if I confront my sister about how she has been treating me, but it is important for my well being and our relationship that I do talk to her, so I will.

Face up to fear

100

I'm going to talk to my sponsor about how helpless I'm feeling because of these cravings, she'll help me switch my thinking to something more positive for me even if I'm struggling to do it by myself.

#5 What is sharing thoughts and feelings with someone/using support systems.

200

If I make a mistake during my presentation, my boss is going to fire me and I'll never be able to work in this industry again!

What is the catastrophe trap

200

My PO is calling me, she must be planning to violate me.

What is assuming?

200

If I send this text while I'm angry, it will probably actually make things worse, so I will wait an hour to respond until I can cool down and think about it more.

What is Considering the Consequences?

200

I write down the thoughts that I had before a big feeling so I can see what pattern there might be.

#2 What is tracking thoughts and feelings?

300

It's way too hard to stop smoking, there just isn't a way to get through the day without it, I'm just not going to be able to stop it.

What is the helpless trap

300

I'm better than everyone else here, I don't need all of this BS on how to change my thinking since I'm already great. I don't need to try in class.

What is grandiosity

300

I need to remember that I'm not perfect either, I'm human, it's OK for me to admit that I can make mistakes too.

Develop realistic view instead of grandiose one

300

I realized that I was thinking so negatively, and that's what I was feeling so angry about this.

#1 What is realizing that what I think changes how I feel?

400

My girlfriend just makes me so mad! She needs to stop pissing me off!

What is the blame trap

400

My buddy smokes marijuana on parole, I should be able to do it, too, I don't get why I have to follow that rule when he doesn't.

What is rationalization

400

I didn't like when you told me that I was still using criminal thinking, but I have to take that into account. I will reflect on that and see what changes I can make to help me succeed.

What is practicing open thinking

400

I'm figuring out the things to say back against my mind traps, so when I have them, I know what to say.

#3 Challenge thoughts by disputing them

500

If I wasn't so ugly, I wouldn't be so lonely.

What is the guilt trap?

500

I haven't been coming to Concordance lately, but we need to talk about how bad the roads are around here - people drive like maniacs! How can we fix the way people drive to make it safer to drive in the city?

What is hopping over

500

My brother did say something pretty awful, but I was the one who chose to punch him, I need to own up to that, he didn't make me, I did.

Taking personal responsibility

500

I recognized that I was using the guilt trap and stepped back to say that I wasn't being fair to myself because I'm human too.

#4 What is challenging my thoughts by disputing them