In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee, a recruiter with 15 years of experience, discusses the pervasive issue of negativity bias and its detrimental impact on professional and personal lives. Lee argues that individuals are often “over-trained to find risk,” leading them to disproportionately focus on threats and negative experiences over positive ones, a phenomenon rooted in the brain’s inherent negativity bias.
The post highlights how this bias manifests in common behaviors, such as dismissing praise while dwelling on mistakes, viewing wins as luck, and undermining accomplishments with qualifying statements like “but.” Lee shares her observations from years in recruiting, noting that many capable individuals have talked themselves out of career advancements, not due to a lack of qualifications, but because they struggle to recognize their own track record of success.
“Your brain gives threats 3 to 5 times more weight than positives.”
Understanding and Naming Negativity Bias
Shulin Lee emphasizes the importance of first recognizing and naming negativity bias to begin addressing it. According to Lee, the initial step involves conscious awareness. When an individual finds themselves caught in a cycle of negative self-talk, Lee suggests vocalizing the issue by saying, “Negativity bias talking.” This simple act, she argues, can help break the negative loop and prompt a re-evaluation of whether one is seeking evidence of inadequacy or signs of improvement.
Strategies for Retraining the Brain
Lee outlines a seven-step process designed to retrain the brain away from its default negativity bias. These steps aim to shift focus from perceived risks to demonstrable progress and evidence of capability.
1. Daily Wins Log
A core strategy proposed by Lee is the creation of a daily “Wins Log” or “Brag Sheet.” This involves documenting one win per day, including the date, outcome, evidence, beneficiaries, and one’s role. Lee states that this practice transforms “fuzzy self-esteem into facts you can actually use.”
2. The 3:1 Rule and Post-Mistake Protocol
To counterbalance the weight given to mistakes, Lee advocates for the “3:1 Rule” after every project: for every mistake noted, document three wins. These wins can be categorized as ones to repeat, scale, or share. Additionally, Lee proposes a “24-hour post-mistake protocol” that includes private venting (capped at 15 minutes), extracting a lesson, planning a fix, and communicating if necessary. This protocol, as described by Lee, aims to “convert rumination into repair.”
“Lessons shouldn’t erase progress.”
3. Language and Boundary Setting
Lee also points to the power of language, suggesting a swap from using “but” to “and” when discussing accomplishments and minor setbacks. For instance, changing “We hit targets but I messed up slide 7” to “We hit targets and I’ll tighten my QA next time.” This, according to Lee, represents a “small language shift” with a “massive framing change.” Setting anti-rumination boundaries, such as a 10-minute “worry window” with a timer, is also recommended to prevent unproductive looping.
“You’re not broken. You’re just over-indexed on risk.”
4. Celebrating Progress
The final step involves actively celebrating wins. Lee suggests a brief, 60-second routine including standing up, breathing, logging the win, sending a thank-you, and pairing it with a small enjoyable activity. This, Lee explains, helps to “wire in the behaviours you want more of.”
In conclusion, Shulin Lee’s LinkedIn post offers a practical framework for individuals struggling with negativity bias. By implementing these strategies consistently for a period of 30 days, Lee suggests that individuals can begin to “rewrite your story” and shift their internal narrative from focusing on inadequacy to recognizing and celebrating their progress.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 4, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →