CR6: Continuum Thinking
Virtual Coach
Work step-by-step through the Cognitive Restructuring exercise with the virtual coach.
Introduction
“All-or-nothing” language (“I’m a total failure,” “That meeting was perfect”) super-charges emotion because it frames life in extremes. Continuum Thinking breaks that spell by forcing you to rate people, events, and traits along a 0-to-100 line. Once you see that you’re a 62 % procrastinator—not “hopeless”—motivation and self-compassion rise while fear of change falls.
Instructions
Goal: Plot one continuum for a stuck thought every day for two weeks.
Time per continuum: ~6 minutes.
Step 1: Write the Absolute Label
Start with an all-or-nothing thought from your CR1 log.
Example: “I’m terrible at public speaking.”
Use the original wording without editing.
Step 2: Name the Dimension
Reframe the label as a skill or trait you can place on a scale.
Example: “Skill at public speaking.”
Neutral phrasing reduces emotional intensity.
Step 3: Anchor the End-Points
Define the range from 0 to 100.
Example: 0 = “freeze and run,” 100 = “TED-level charisma.”
Clear extremes give you a better sense of placement.
Step 4: Plot 3 Comparators
Add real-life examples across the scale.
Example: Friend who panicked (10), co-worker who presents monthly (55), favorite podcaster (85).
Anchors help you rate yourself more accurately.
Step 5: Rate Yourself
Plot your current position on the line.
Example: 40. Most people land mid-scale—not at zero.
Notice how far you are from the extreme label.
Step 6: Define a Next-Step Zone
Draw a small bracket 5–10 points higher and plan one small action.
Example: 45–50 = “Add one story slide + rehearse twice.”
Small jumps feel doable and link to behavioral goals.
Step 7: Re-rate Emotion
Rate the intensity of any emotion (e.g., anxiety, shame, sadness) before and after the exercise (0–10).
Goal: ≥ 2-point drop. Track results on the worksheet graph.
FAQs
What if I can’t think of comparators?
Use fictional characters, famous figures, or past versions of you. The goal is relativity, not scientific precision.
My rating still feels harsh—am I cheating?
Check evidence from CR2. If facts show better performance than your rating, nudge the mark upward by 5 and notice emotion shift.
Do I always have to jump 5–10 points?
Smaller is fine. Any upward bracket that sparks action works.
Isn’t this just positive spin?
No—the continuum honors weaknesses and strengths; it simply refuses the lie that you’re at 0 or 100 when reality is somewhere in-between.
Disclaimer
If you have any behavioral health questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare or mental healthcare provider. This article is supported by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from behavioral health societies and governmental agencies. However, it is not a substitute for professional behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
