Stop Negative Thinking in Its Tracks: How Gibbs from NCIS uses Mindset Rule 6

It was one of those days where your mind just won’t quiet down — even during something as simple as grabbing a diet soda.

That’s when I saw him. Leroy Jethro Gibbs from NCIS, standing at the corner, jaw tight, eyes distant — like he was replaying something he couldn’t shut off.

Before I could process the moment, he walked over.

“Bruce,” he said in that familiar gravel tone. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

He exhaled slowly. “Tough cases. They’re sticking with me. Negative thoughts. Doubts. I don’t usually let things get in my head — but lately, it feels like I can’t stop the spiral.”

He held my gaze.

“I know you wrote that book — 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior. I need something that helps me stop this before it takes over.”

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My Story

Hearing Gibbs talk about negative thoughts reminded me of my own battles. I knew exactly where he was coming from.

“You’re in the right place, Gibbs,” I said, smiling. “For 20 years, I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD — and the everyday chaos of life. It left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.

Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.

So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want!

And one of the most powerful ways to reclaim that control?

Build a new way of thinking — a Mental Health Warrior mindset!

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Warrior Mindset in Action

That’s why I wrote 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior — a mental health playbook forged from experience.

These aren’t just ideas. They’re tools designed to interrupt negative thinking before it takes over.

And one that changed everything for me?

Mindset Rule 6: “Forgive Yourself for Not Knowing the Things You Know Now.”

Gibbs nodded, his piercing blue eyes locked on mine. “I like the sound of that. Tell me more.”

“It’s simple — but powerful,” I said. “We beat ourselves up for not handling things better… forgetting that we didn’t have the knowledge, experience or tools we have today.”

Gibbs’s expression softened. “That’s a tough one. But it makes sense. How do you actually put it into practice?”

I nodded. “Let me give you three examples of how I use this rule to stop negative thinking in its tracks.”

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Example 1: Don’t Let the Past Hijack Today’s Wins

“The first way I use this rule,” I said, “is to stop the past from stealing today’s progress.”

I leaned back. “There were years when I would accomplish something meaningful — a strong week, a breakthrough conversation, a small win — and instead of celebrating it, I’d replay what I did wrong days before.”

“It’s easy to let last week’s mistake hijack how you feel about today’s success. But Mindset Rule 6 reminds me of something simple: I didn’t know then what I know now.”

I paused.

“That means yesterday’s version of me doesn’t get to sabotage today’s growth.”

Gibbs’s Takeaway:

Gibbs rubbed his chin. “That hits close. Last week we lost a lead on a case, and it’s been eating at me. Yesterday we cracked it wide open — but all I could think about was that miss.”

I nodded. “That’s the spiral. You’re letting an old version of yourself judge the progress of who you are now.”

He exhaled slowly. “So instead of replaying the mistake… I acknowledge it, learn from it — and let today stand on its own.”

“Exactly,” I said. “You earn your wins. Don’t let the past disqualify them.”

Gibbs cracked a rare smile. “Alright. Today gets the credit.”

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Example 2: Turn Missteps into Fuel for Today’s Wins

“Second,” I said, “this rule reminds me that my progress today was built on mistakes I made yesterday.”

I leaned forward. “There were years when I saw every relapse, every emotional crash, every bad decision as proof that I was broken.”

I shook my head. “Now I see them differently. Those moments taught me what doesn’t work. They forced me to build tools. They made me sharper.”

I paused.

“Today’s wins didn’t happen in spite of my past. They happened because I learned from it.”

Gibbs’s Takeaway:

Gibbs crossed his arms thoughtfully. “So instead of replaying what went wrong… I look at what it trained me to see.”

He nodded slowly. “We walked into an ambush once. I tore myself apart for missing the signs. But afterward, we changed how we run recon. That adjustment has saved our team more than once.”

“That’s it,” I said. “Warriors don’t waste mistakes. We use them.”

Gibbs gave a half-smile. “So failure’s not a verdict.”

“No,” I replied. “It’s training.”

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Example 3: Focus on Taking Action Today

“And lastly,” I said, “this rule keeps me in the present.”

I paused. “Depression doesn’t usually hit me all at once. It creeps in when I start replaying what I wish I’d done differently.”

I shook my head. “That’s when I use this rule as a reset button. I stop asking, ‘Why didn’t I…?’ and start asking, ‘What can I do today?’”

“Even something small,” I added. “One call. One workout. One hard conversation.”

I looked at him. “Action breaks the spiral.”

Gibbs’s Takeaway:

For the first time, Gibbs cracked a real grin. “That makes sense. When I let the past sit in my head too long, I lose focus. I start second-guessing everything.”

He nodded slowly. “But when I zero in on what’s in front of me — the next move, the next step — I stay sharp. I stay… me.”

“You got it,” I said. “We don’t fix yesterday. We move today.”

Gibbs exhaled, steady now.

“Alright,” he said. “Today, I choose action.”

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Wrap Up

Gibbs looked at me with that classic no-nonsense expression — the kind that says he’s really listening.

“You’ve given me something solid,” he said. “I’ll have to get myself a copy of 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.”

I reached into my bag and handed him mine. “No need to look. Mindset Rule 6 is bookmarked — it’s helped me more times than I can count.”

He flipped it open like an old case file. “I’ve been letting my mind spin,” he admitted. “But if I remember this rule — especially when the doubts creep in — I won’t go down that rabbit hole.”

As he turned to leave, he tossed me a wry smile. “Next time you catch me spiraling? Just smack me upside the head.”

I laughed. “No need. I’ll just remind you — you didn’t know then what you know now.”

He nodded once. That was enough.

And here’s your mission, Warrior: When the spiral starts… Pause. Forgive yourself. Choose your next move.

Because you’re not at the mercy of your thoughts. You’re a Warrior — and You’re in Charge!

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!