Take Charge of Your Thoughts

Our brains can be one of our biggest assets in helping us achieve amazing feats and seemingly impossible goals…or they can be our biggest liability in keeping us small, low and stuck.

I’m not sure when I became more aware of my thoughts, but it’s been a huge revelation for me in changing my life and shifting from days where I was barraged with depression, loneliness, anxiety and overwhelm to days with more peace, happiness and contentment. I certainly don’t feel like I’ve reached nirvana: I still have some days when I forget that I can choose my thoughts, and I slide down the tunnel, following the spiraling train of negative crap that my inner voice knows how to do so well. But I’m getting much better at catching it and stopping it.

The brain always searches for evidence to prove our thoughts true. So if you’re in a rut of thinking “I can’t handle this” or “My life is out of control,” your brain will look for examples of how that is true. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more evidence your brain finds, the stronger that thought becomes in your mind.

Learning to become aware of your thoughts can be a process. Even now, I often ask for assistance from a fellow coach to help me see what I’m not seeing. It may be easier to start with how you’re feeling. Identifying what emotions are coming up for you can help you identify the thoughts driving those emotions. For example, “I can’t handle this” may bring up feelings of panic, anger, fear, and/or overwhelm. Shifting the thought to a question “how could I best handle this?” or even dissecting the issue and moving to “I can handle this piece right now” puts you more in a state of control and will shift your emotions to curiosity and confidence.

You are so much more than your thoughts. Remember to choose the thoughts that serve you in doing your best work, living your best life.