MSS #029: How to train your brain to have better thoughts.

MSS #029: Brain training - managing thoughts.

MSS #029: How to train your brain to have better thoughts.

29 July, 2023

Read time: 2.0 minutes

In a hurry? Cut straight to the How to grab control of your thoughts. chapter and skip the summary - reduced read time 1.4 minutes.

Often it feels like we have no control of our thoughts and that our mind is in control of us!

Not so, we just have never been taught how to train our minds.

This technique comes from Mo Gawdat book “That little voice in your head”.

Once you start using this, you will wonder why you did not know how before.

Let’s go for it.

Brain training – so simple its brilliant!

As I said in the intro, it feels like our minds rule us and just randomly have thoughts, without any input from us. That is simply because we have not given our minds any “training” or “instructions” as to how to behave. Without this our minds behave like an unruly teenager who has learnt some good and bad habits, up till now.

Up till now – is key! Now you are going to train your brain to control your thoughts.

How to grab control of your thoughts.

Step 1 - Give your brain a name.

I know seems strange.

2 reasons for naming your brain,

1. Naming things brings the rational part of your brain to play.

Stops the irrational part taking control. The rational part of our brain, the bit that challenges and questions, uses language as its way of communicating. By giving something a name, you invite your rational brain to the party.

The irrational brain uses emotion and images to communicate.

2. Reminds you, that YOU control your thoughts not your mind!

The simple act of having a name for your brain, is a reminder for you that it is an entity and you can and will control it better.

Step 2 - “Bring me a better thought”

Anytime you get a thought you don’t like.

OR

Just to get into the habit.

Say “Brain, bring me another thought”

Replace “Brain” with the name you want to give it. Mo Gawdat calls his brain “Becky”.

What name will you choose?

You can choose any name you want.

• Comical names work well – reinforces that YOU’RE in charge of thoughts.

• Affectionate names also work – develops a sense of partnership.

• Choose a name that has meaning or symbolism to you.

Ideally choose a name that is to you maybe,

• Playful.

• Fun.

• Conveys you are in charge.

All names have associations and meanings for us. We associate them with people we have known. So, choose a name that makes sense to you. Avoid a name that you might look up to, as you want to remind yourself you are in control.

Yep – that’s it.

Keep doing this. This is important, it becomes a habit, so you hardly have to say or do anything in time, you just think about having another thought and it will happen.

You could get more specific about what type of thought you want, but this approach is much easier. Anytime you have a thought you don’t like, you now know you can change it.

Also remember “thoughts are not facts”. Often we treat them as if they are and react accordingly.

It’s so simple.

Say “Brain (substitute the name you gave your brain) bring me a better thought.”

Why this works

• It puts you in control of your thoughts.

• It creates the habit of telling your brain you are in charge.

• Your brain responds to commands, in the absence of new commands it uses old habits or patterns of behaviours.

Summary

Quick recap.

• Give you brain a name.

• Use the phrase “Brain (name), bring me a better thought.”

•  Use it all the time for fun and to reinforce the habit, that you control your thoughts.

• Have fun enjoy it.

Want more? 

When you're ready, 3 ways I can help you:

1. Build self confidence and resilience fast - £48 training course

2. Work with me 121 - start with a FREE 15 minutes exploration session.

Lets have an open chat and explore how I can help you and what is troubling you.

If we both think we can work together and I have what you need we can go from there.

3. Workshops and Speaking - I run workshops and speak. Book me to help your team increase their productivity.

Nuclear Powered Resilience – learn one golden habit that gives incredible inner strength, comfort and support, that keeps growing by instilling Unconditional Love in your mind.

7 guiding principles to better thinking – what trips up our thinking and how to create different habitual responses.

What they should have taught you at school – awareness of how we think and how to get better results.

Vitamin C for the mind – how to feel and have more control in life, with simple techniques built into a habit.

Happy habits – simple habits to make you feel happier everyday.

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading, really hope this helped. Contact me if you think I can help you further at [email protected].

See you next week. If you haven't already, follow me on LinkedIn and hit the bell for daily posts on tips, insights and techniques.

Happy thinking.