--- title: "Daily Buzz: Avoid the Thinking Traps That Are Holding You Back" id: "49825" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-avoid-the-thinking-traps-that-are-holding-you-back" published_at: "2020-04-13T21:39:29+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T03:16:59+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/13/daily-buzz-avoid-the-thinking-traps-that-are-holding-you-back/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/13/daily-buzz-avoid-the-thinking-traps-that-are-holding-you-back.md" excerpt: "Focusing on negative thoughts will damage not only your productivity, but your health as well. Also: setting up a successful online learning program." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Leadership" - "mental health" - "mindset" - "Self-improvement" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Employee (Non-Manager)" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: Avoid the Thinking Traps That Are Holding You Back Stuck with negative thoughts? You might be falling into thinking traps that are hard to get out of. “Not only do these thinking patterns drag you down when it comes to achieving your goals—they can, in extreme cases, be detrimental to your health,” say Nathalie Gaulhiac and Ruqayyah Moynihan on [Business Insider (opens in a new tab)](https://www.businessinsider.com/nine-thinking-patterns-that-are-holding-you-back-and-how-to-stop-them-2018-9) . One well-known trap is being an overly harsh self-critic, like constantly telling yourself you’re not likable or lovable. To shed these thoughts, remind yourself of your worth: Remember that friends and family enjoy spending time with you, or make a list of your positive qualities. “When negative thoughts enter your head, actively try to remind yourself to be realistic by saying ‘I am lovable’ or ‘I make an important contribution,’” Gaulhiac and Moynihan say. Another common thinking trap is catastrophizing—the irrational belief that something is far worse than it actually is. When these thoughts come to you, ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen? How likely is it the worst thing will happen? What can I do if the worst thing does happen? “If you take a moment to answer these questions, you may find that the problem is not as bad as you’d previously thought and, equally, that the worst-case scenario isn’t either,” Gaulhiac and Moynihan say. ### Prepare for Online Learning > With in-person events on hold for a while due to COVID-19, many associations are shifting their focus to online education. Tobin Conley takes a look at learning management system (LMS) selection: > [https://t.co/gkK5SYiDai (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/gkK5SYiDai) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#covid19 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/covid19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#lms (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/lms?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#onlinelearning (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/onlinelearning?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/4oUC8EnkSY (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/4oUC8EnkSY) > > — DelCor (@delcor) [March 31, 2020 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/delcor/status/1245000992304889862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Thinking about starting**your own online learning program? There are a few things to consider before investing in a learning management system. First, figure out the learning strategy, [suggests Delcor’s Tobin Conley (opens in a new tab)](https://www.delcor.com/resources/blog/online-learning-lms-selection) . Ask yourself and your team what you wish to accomplish with the program and who you’re targeting. “If you agree on the purpose for the technology you seek, you won’t be swayed by bells and whistles. You can be more confident that the technology you demo and ultimately select will meet your learners and staff’s needs,” Conley says. ### Other Links of Note **Is your newsletter not reaching enough members?** [Create one that is mobile-friendly (opens in a new tab)](https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2020/04/09/mobile-friendly-newsletter) , says Catherine Chea on the Wild Apricot blog. **To increase online meeting engagement**, [use Zoom Breakout Rooms (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bethkanter.org/zoom-breakout-tips/) , suggests a recent post from *Beth’s Blog*. **Burnout is a real problem in IT**, says *CIO*’s Sharon Florentine. She offers tips on [how to handle it (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cio.com/article/3534472/it-burnout-a-productivity-killer-it-leaders-must-address.html) . (xxmmxx/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Michael Hickey](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Michael Hickey is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Tags: [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#mental health](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mental-health/) [#mindset](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mindset/) [#Self-improvement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/self-improvement/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoThere is No Such Thing as Bad LuckAugust 29, 2013](https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/29/there-is-no-such-thing-as-bad-luck/) - [VideoASAE Annual Meeting 2012 Ignite Sessions – The Art of Letting GoSeptember 21, 2012](https://associationsnow.com/2012/09/21/asae-annual-meeting-2012-ignite-sessions-the-art-of-letting-go/) - [VideoUse Your Vision to Tap the Creative Power of Your MindFebruary 14, 2014](https://associationsnow.com/2014/02/14/use-your-vision-to-tap-the-creative-power-of-your-mind/) - [VideoInvesting in Well-being: The Strategic Advantage of Mental Health Support in the WorkplaceJune 23, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/06/23/investing-in-well-being-the-strategic-advantage-of-mental-health-support-in-the-workplace/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2020%2F04%2F13%2Fdaily-buzz-avoid-the-thinking-traps-that-are-holding-you-back%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !