--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: More often than not, the belief that you…" description: "\"More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the \"bad\" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a) recognize that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/daa/david-d-burns-4607_attitude_more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you_38611.jpg" --- # More often than not, the belief that you are bad… ![“More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the "bad" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a) recognize that an error has occurred and (b) develop a strategy for correcting the problem. An attitude of self-love and relaxation facilitates this, whereas…” quote by David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/daa/david-d-burns-4607_attitude_more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you_38611.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/daa/david-d-burns-4607_attitude_more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you_38611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/daa/david-d-burns-4607_attitude_more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you_38611.jpg) > “More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the "bad" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a) recognize that an error has occurred and (b) develop a strategy for correcting the problem. An attitude of self-love and relaxation facilitates this, whereas guilt often interferes.” [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑critical beliefs can trigger the very behavior they condemn; recognizing mistakes and planning corrective actions, supported by self‑compassion, foster change. **In simple terms:** Self‑love aids learning; guilt blocks it. Key Takeaway Compassionate self‑assessment drives improvement. Themes self‑perception behavior change self‑compassion error correction mindset Mood reflective encouraging optimistic Type advice psychological insight When to use this quote - personal development - therapy sessions - coaching feedback - team performance reviews - academic learning Key Concepts cognitive distortion self‑esteem emotional regulation growth mindset Practical Applications - counseling interventions - self‑help workshops Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑compassion affect error recovery? - What strategies replace guilt with constructive action? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Bad behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-behavior/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Behavior change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior-change/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Relaxation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relaxation/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-love/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [The purpose of Yoga is to facilitate the profound inner relaxation that accompanies fearlessness. The release from fear is what finally precipitates the full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-schiffmann/the-purpose-of-yoga-is-to-facilitate-the-profound-inner-relaxation/) [Erich Schiffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-schiffmann/) > [If a hungry lion suddenly appeared, you'd be terrified. So terrified you'd probably run away. Great, fear's doing its job. But you might get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/if-a-hungry-lion-suddenly-appeared-you-d-be-terrified-so-terrified/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [I expect if people have had a problem with me or my attitude, then they come and take it directly with me, face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-hegerberg/i-expect-if-people-have-had-a-problem-with-me-or-my-attitude-then/) [Ada Hegerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-hegerberg/) > [I have a problem. My problem is my attitude and ¦¦¦ My solution is still searching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-choudhri/i-have-a-problem-my-problem-is-my-attitude-and-my-solution-is-still/) Nikhil Choudhri > [Is your problem really your problem, or is it your attitude towards the problem that's your problem?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/is-your-problem-really-your-problem-or-is-it-your-attitude-towards/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I don't have an attitude problem...you have a problem with my attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-have-an-attitude-problem-you-have-a-problem-with-my-attitude-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't have an attitude problem, actually u have problem with my attitude and that's not my problem.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/addy/i-don-t-have-an-attitude-problem-actually-u-have-problem-with-my/) [Addy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/addy/) > [I don't have an attitude problem...You have a problem with my attitude.. That's your problem, not mine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashaba/i-don-t-have-an-attitude-problem-you-have-a-problem-with-my-attitude/) [Ashaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashaba/) > [The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-problem-is-not-the-problem-the-problem-is-your-attitude-about-the-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Problem is not a problem..the problem is your attitude about the problem… :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/singu/the-problem-is-not-a-problem-the-problem-is-your-attitude-about-the/) [SINGU](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/singu/) > [“To lovers out there... Before you say all man are the same or All women are the same. Take a look at yourself. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/to-lovers-out-there-before-you-say-all-man-are-the-same-or-all-women/) De philosopher DJ Kyos > [I dont have an attitude problem. If you have a problem with my attitude, thats your problem, not mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-dont-have-an-attitude-problem-if-you-have-a-problem-with-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Your problem isn't the problem, it's your attitude about the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/your-problem-isn-t-the-problem-it-s-your-attitude-about-the-problem/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Got that? -Coach Brevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/the-problem-is-not-the-problem-the-problem-is-your-attitude-about-the/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [I don't have any attitude problem and if any one have problem with my attitude then that's not my problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pranjul-tomar/i-don-t-have-any-attitude-problem-and-if-any-one-have-problem-with-my/) Pranjul Tomar ## More by David D. Burns > [A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/a-poor-self-image-is-the-magnifying-glass-that-can-transform-a/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-worse-than-cancer-because-most/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Guilt is not the best way to remedy your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/guilt-is-not-the-best-way-to-remedy-your-mistakes/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [I had the fear of heights when I was young, along with many other fears and phobias, including the fear of dogs, bees, horses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/i-had-the-fear-of-heights-when-i-was-young-along-with-many-other/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“The attitude that depression is necessary strikes me as destructive, inhuman, and victimizing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-attitude-that-depression-is-necessary-strikes-me-as-destructive/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“know about the brain's hardware and software. How does the firing of a nerve or a series of nerves get translated into a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/know-about-the-brain-s-hardware-and-software-how-does-the-firing-of-a/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“There was nothing dreadfully wrong with me, I was just upsetting myself with my irrational thinking. I just couldn't admit it until I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/there-was-nothing-dreadfully-wrong-with-me-i-was-just-upsetting/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/aim-for-success-not-perfection-never-give-up-your-right-to-be-wrong/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“And most important, nobody could love or relate to you. It would be impossible to feel any love for someone who was flawless and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/and-most-important-nobody-could-love-or-relate-to-you-it-would-be/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and persistence, I believe that nearly all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/negative-thinking-patterns-can-be-immensely-deceptive-and-persuasive/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Many research studies, as well as my own clinical experience, have confirmed that severely depressed patients who appear very "biologically" depressed with lots of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/many-research-studies-as-well-as-my-own-clinical-experience-have/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/assert-your-right-to-make-a-few-mistakes-if-people-can-t-accept-your/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [What saddens me is seeing patients who have been going to therapy for years and years with no change, but they keep going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/what-saddens-me-is-seeing-patients-who-have-been-going-to-therapy-for/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) [Explore all 108 David D. Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the \"bad\" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a) recognize that an error has occurred and (b) develop a strategy for correcting the problem. 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