Page 26 - ALIVE CODE

DARE TO BE A.L.I.V.E. - DON’T BE A D.A.S.H.

Negative Labeling

To label yourself as a failure is much worse than describing your poor
behavior. Being a

‘failure” goes beyond “I have failed at some particular and important task or
relationship” and says “I am a mistake,” rather than “I made a mistake.” This is
just the type of damnation and global downing that causes depression and
hopelessness, and that ALIVE CODE shows you how to refrain from doing.

Examples of irrational global labeling are:

I failed, therefore I am a failure. am rejected, therefore I am an unlovable
reject.
I acted foolishly, therefore I am a fool.
I didn’t know something, therefore I am a dummy or an idiot.
I gave in, therefore I am a weak person.
I acted insensitively, therefore I am a jerk an ass, or an insensitive clod.
I did badly, therefore I am no good.
I don’t like my choices, therefore I am trapped forever.

I can’t see the solution right now, therefore I am hopeless and I’ll never
solve this problem.
I didn’t try, therefore I am a lazy and worthless person.
I lost, therefore I am a loser.

ALIVE shows you how to replace these overgeneralized labels with more
speci c and rational self-talk. When people get ideas in their head about
themselves, others, or the world, they tend to nd so-called “evidence” to
support their beliefs. If you start out by saying “I am always rejected”, then
you will nd “evidence” to support your Belief that you are an unlovable
reject. And you will nd “evidence” that you are incapable of loving.

ALIVE CODE
Page 25