Self-talk failure

I find that by telling myself what “not to do” I become focused on that behavior. “Don’t do that thing” turns into doing that exact thing.

However, I fall into deep engrossment by distracting myself with a different task.
I am not doing that thing I don’t want to do because I’ve not given myself the opportunity (time or energy) to even think about it.

attention awareness behavior belief body change choice contradiction creativity death desire ego empathy fear forgiveness freedom goals growth happiness identity individuality insight knowledge language love nature pain perspective politics power present productivity psychology purpose rationality reality reason responsibility self society stress time truth value work