These are the techniques described in MoodGym and Feeling Good for disputing negative thoughts:

1. Don't think in black & white.
   
2. Don't over-generalize.
   
3. What big picture are you filtering out?
   
4. What positive thoughts are being disqualified?
   
5. Don't jump to conclusions.
   
6. Don't over-magnify the problem.
   
7. What aspect of your problem is just emotional?
   
8. Is there really some "should" you need to adhere to?
   
9. Don't mis-label your problems.
   
10. Are you even responsible for this?
    
11. Check the tone by which you state your problem.
    
12. What are the consequences of these thoughts?

Why is it that these particular techniques work? While these techniques have been all very helpful to me, there's always been a nagging sense of arbitrariness. What is the difference between this and positive or creative thinking?