Practise mindful thinking
Incorporating Mindful Thinking into Daily Life:
In the previous blog I wrote about how our thinking is linked to our feelings and our actions and shared the benefits of mindful thinking.
The post addresses the HOW of this practise.
1. Journaling: Keeping a journal can help us explore our thoughts, emotions, and reactions to various events. This practice enables us to identify recurring patterns and work on shifting negative thought patterns into constructive ones. Writing also helps us get the thoughts OUT of our heads and onto paper where we can more easily look at them with neutrality.
2. Deliberate thought work: When the words are on the page, it is much easier for us to examine it and ask ourselves - Is this really true? What is more true? Do not rush this part! Feel of your feelings and start to try on new thoughts that more accurately represent who you really are. But if you do this too quickly, you will just put covering up a yucky thought or feeling with an inspirational quote. That doesn’t help you long term. You can, however, both feel your hard feelings AND start to build different thoughts that suit you. Over time, your feelings will pass and you will find yourself believing these new thoughts more and more. Regularly and deliberately thinking about ourselves with more affirming statements can reinforce a mindset of confidence and self-assurance. Be brave - write and speak these new thoughts regularly!
3. Seeking Support: If your feelings are manageable to you, coaching is an excellent place to have a neutral person review your thoughts for flaws, limiting beliefs and areas where we might not be living according to our values. An ICF educated coach is especially trained to be curious and engage in active listening; we ask powerful questions so that you can uncover what is already in you. When our feelings are really big and very hard to process, sometimes therapy is needed. A trained therapist can safely lead you through the process of feelings if you find the feelings are not passing through your own work of journaling, crying, talking with a good friend.
Conclusion:
Examining our thinking is an empowering journey of self-discovery and transformation. By recognizing that our thoughts create our feelings, which, in turn, drive our actions, we unlock the potential to build unshakeable confidence in our lives and careers. Embrace the power of mindful thinking, and watch as you take charge of your life with renewed vigor and self-assurance. Remember, you hold the key to unlocking the incredible potential that lies within you!
