Maladaptive belief: If I dont do as well as others, Im a failure.
More functional belief: If I dont do as well as others, Im not a failure, just human.
Maladaptive belief: If I ask for help, its a sign of weakness.
More functional belief: If I ask for help when I need it, Im showing good problem-solving abilities (which is a sign of strength).
Maladaptive belief: If I fail at work/school, Im a failure as a person.
More functional belief: If I fail at work/school, its not a reflection of my whole self. (My whole self includes how I am as a friend, child, sibling, relative, citizen, and community member, and my qualities of kindness, sensitivity to others, helpfulness, etc.) Also, failure is not a permanent condition.
Maladaptive belief: I should be able to excel at everything I try.
More functional belief: I shouldnt be able to excel at something unless I am gifted in that area (and am willing and able to devote considerable time and effort toward it at the expense of other things.
Maladaptive belief: I should always work hard and do my best.
More functional belief: I should put in a reasonable amount of effort much of the time.
Maladaptive belief: If I dont live up to my potential, I have failed.
More functional belief: If I do less than my best, I have succeeded perhaps 70%, 80%, or 90%; not 0%.
Maladaptive belief: If I dont work hard all the time, Ill fail.
More functional belief: If I dont work hard all the time, Ill probably do reasonably well and have a more balanced life.