MSS #062: Brain training: How to manage your thoughts

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Matt Sturgess
March 16, 2024

MSS #062: Brain training: How to manage you thoughts

16 Mar 24

MSS #062: Brain training: How to manage your thoughts.

16 Mar, 2024

Read time: 2.1 minutes

In a hurry? Jump to "Quick Thought Management Wins" for a rapid 30 seconds overview.

This week, we're unlocking the secret to managing the relentless flood of thoughts that can often feel overwhelming. By learning to acknowledge each thought just once, you're taking a significant step towards mental clarity and focus.

Ready for brain training?

The Challenge:
Do you ever feel like your mind is an endless stream of thoughts, making it difficult to focus on what truly matters? You're not alone.

This constant mental chatter can hinder our productivity and elevate our stress levels.

The Solution:
I'm thrilled to introduce a transformative technique designed to help you regain control of your thoughts, enhancing mindfulness and reducing stress. It's about acknowledging each thought once and then moving on.

It’s more than that, by practicing this regularly, your brain will respond to this as a new habit, so it becomes somewhat natural to manage your thoughts. And know that you can manage your thoughts better, which is a reassuring leap for many.

 

The Process:

1. Allow thoughts to flow: Don't try to stop them; let them come.

2. Acknowledge each thought: Summarise the thought back to yourself, without judgement.

3. Move on: No analysis or dwelling; simply accept the thought and let it go.

4. No repeats: Avoid going back to the same thought. If your mind repeats a thought, point this out to your brain.

 

An example will help.

Your Mind's Thought

Your Response (I say this in my head)

"I forgot to phone Fred back."

"Thanks for reminding me. Easily fixed – next thought."

"That car was noisy."

"Yes, it was noisy – next, please."

"I am really busy at the moment."

"Thanks for letting me know I'm busy – next thought."

"Francis was really rude earlier."

"Yes, Francis was rude – next one."

“I hope the car service goes ok with no problems”

“Yes, that would be nice – next thought please”

“The last car service was really expensive”

“Ok we have had this thought before, against the rules – next one now please”

“Weather is nice today”

“Thanks for noticing the weather – next one please”

 

Why It Works:

  • Prevents fixation: By not allowing repeats, your brain learns not to dwell on, or exaggerate thoughts. This avoids the tendency for thoughts to cluster.

  • Promotes acceptance: Acknowledging thoughts without judgement teaches your brain to let them go.

  • Enhances focus: This practice hones your focus on the present, facilitating a form of meditation and mindfulness.

Make it a habit:

The best way to train your brain is to make it a habit, try this.

  • Same time every day: Find a time or occasion to practice this daily.

  • Start simply: Just aim for 30 seconds a day, if you want to you can do this for longer.

  • Consistency: If you miss one, no hassle. Try not to miss 2 days in a row, so make it easy, even 15 seconds keeps up the momentum.

Quick Thought Management Wins:
For those pressed for time, here's a quick guide to applying this technique:

1. Acknowledge One Thought: Practice the technique with a single thought.

2. Reflect: Notice how it feels to let that thought go.

3. Plan: Consider incorporating this practice into your daily routine.

Reflection as a Catalyst for Mental Clarity:
Embracing this technique can significantly alter your mental landscape, leading to improved focus, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of peace.

 

Summary:
Quick recap:

  • The importance of acknowledging thoughts, once, for mental clarity.

  • The no repeat thought rule.

  • Make it a daily habit, even if only for 15 to 30 seconds a day.

  • Brian training is a simple yet powerful process to manage your thoughts.

See you next week for more insights and strategies. Don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn for daily posts designed to inspire, inform, and propel you forward.

 

Want more? 

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

1. My book - Nuclear Powered Resilience

If you want to either build a high level or resilience or overcome a past trauma that is holding you back - check out my book.

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

I have developed my book into a course to help you fully implement the benefits of my book.

Golden Resilience Habit

3. 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.

Want to explore what else I do? including corporate speaking, coaching and workshops - say hello in an email and let’s explore together.

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].

Happy thinking.