6) Magnification/Minimisation (Binocular Trick)

Another thinking trap you might fall into is the magnification or minimisation of events - otherwise known as the "binocular trick" - overemphasising the negatives and under-emphasising the positives.

Often you will magnify the importance of you own errors. For example, if you take part in a group project at school but it gets a lower grade than expected, in your head you may over exaggerate any mistake you may have made and blame yourself for the low grade. This is like looking through a pair of binoculars - things appear much bigger than they are in reality.

To be honest, what difference does one particular event have on your life? What will you think about it in a week, a month, a year or ten years? Will anyone else remember what happened? Will you? Even if yo do, will you really feel the same about it? Probably-not.

On the other hand, when you do something really well you will often do the exact opposite, dismissing it, seeing it as small or unimportant. You will probably reject your personal strengths too, viewing them as insignificant. This is like looking through the wrong end of the binoculars.

Automatic thought: I made a real fool of myself yesterday, I'll never be able to face them again.

Possible answers: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. Most people didn't even notice. I don't think anyone who did thought much of it - they were probably too busy thinking of themselves. If it had happened when I was feeling happier, I would have laughed about it. It certainly makes a good story!

Picture Source: http://www.spotshoppingguide.com/choosing-the-best-binoculars/