YOU thunk your way in. You can think your way back out again!
The human mind is an amazing bowl of porridge. But despite its best efforts, from time to time we all find our minds sinking into the subterranean mire of a deep blue funk, and ironically, that's usually when we need our faculties about us the most, because tough times and angst tend to go hand in hand.
So let's assume that you're facing both - the trying circumstances and the attendant blues. What can you do to change gears in your loft? How can you get your mindset out of fight-or-flight mode and back into that creative, problem-solving state? After all, now's the time you need it most.
Here are six suggestions:
1. Head the Wisdom of the Austrian
A wise Austrian philosopher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, once made an interesting point. It was in the movie Terminator Three, when a young John Connor, faced with extreme duress, appeared to be going off the rails mentally. Noting this, Arnie, as the Terminator, grabs John, lifts him off of his feet and holds him up in the air.
Initially, John is scared, but after a few moments, his squeamish wiggles turn to angry batting. The Terminator sets him down and a livid John demands, "Why did you do that?!" The Terminator answers, "Because anger is more useful than despair. "
And it's true. Faced with darkness, we have a choice. We can either think our way into a hole. Or we can get angry, rebel, and start to look for real solutions. In a straight choice between despair and anger, choose anger.
2. Acknowledge that you need your brain back and ask for it!
Self-talk is a powerful thing. Start with this little exercise: Go to a private place - shut the door or take a walk - and have a talk with yourself out loud. Use your own script, but make sure it's something like this:
"Right, I acknowledge that I'm under a lot of pressure right now. A ridiculous amount, in fact! But for that reason, I need to be at the top of my game. I really need my mind to be working on my side and not against me. I don't need to fall into a pit of self-pity. Instead, I need to roll up the sleeves inside my head and get busy! This is a street-fight, but I know I've got what it takes. So let's get started. . . !"
3. List the things you'd need to completely solve your scenario
This is called Possibility Thinking. And you don't need to be too logical about it. Being elaborately imaginative and mentally generous is better. You can wheedle out the unrealistic stuff later. For now, think big. Dream. Imagine. Dance, Julie Andrews-like, across the high Alps of what could be.
Then, take a piece of paper or open a blank Word document and list the things that would completely solve your problems. Your list might look like this:
* Two hundred thousand grand would solve my debt issues
* A drop/gain of 10 kilograms would get me to where I want to be physically
* Three really big corporate clients, paying on a regular basis, would solve my cash-flow issues
* One book behind my name would position me as an expert
. . . and so on.
When you've done this, allow yourself a few more moments to carry on with your imaginary journey. Imagine, in as vivid detail as you can, how good life could be with your issues completely solved and resolved.
And also, don't just imagine it in negative terms, like 'no more debt'. Instead, imagine it in positive terms, such as, 'prosperous and wealthy and building my legacy each day'. Make the imagery as specific as possible.
4. Brainstorm 'To Do' items
While you're still in Possibility-Thinking mode, go through your list of needs again. Next to each of them, jot down, quickly and without pausing to evaluate how 'reasonable' your ideas may be, as many thoughts as you can for steps you might take to achieve those things.
When you run out of momentum, pause for a minute or two, and force yourself to come up with a few more ideas. You'd be surprised how many you can conjure up when you press your mind just a little harder, just that tiny bit more!
Then decide which items are most likely to succeed, and/or, would be of most value to you if they did succeed. Naturally, those are the ones you should get busy with.
Of course, if we're honest with ourselves, this is often easier said than done when we're down in the dumps.
If you do find yourself flagging or feeling discouraged, try not to fixate on the size of the task. Instead, try just dabbling a little. In other words, don't commit yourself to carrying out a huge campaign.
Just make the first phone call. Don't think of how daunting it would be to write the whole book. Just jot down some thoughts on possible chapters. Dabble in the shallow waters and you will find that your mind starts to become interested in the task. Not only that, but a small amount of dabbling can lead to small initial successes, which will spur you on.
5. Give your mind a dose of sugar
At key points throughout your day, as you wrestle with the twin beasts of your psyche and the problem at hand, remember to give yourself the occasional break. Make sure it's a complete break. Do something that takes your mind as far away from your troubles as possible. Watch Star Wars. Dig a swimming pool! Teach your dog the Pasa Doble!
As a general guideline, try to avoid watching or listening to anything featuring the same sort of drama you are facing, and the news. Escapism is the key. Personally, I like Phineas and Ferb on the Disney channel, and you need to be kind to your mind.
6. And finally, remember to celebrate each success
Money may be tight, but you have to celebrate the small successes. If you can't toast them with champagne, treat yourself to a stern cup of coffee, by Jove! But do something to acknowledge each step forward. Dip into the self-talk again and give yourself a convincing speech about how well you're doing under the circumstances. No sarcasm here. Just reinforcement.
You thunk your way in. You can darn well think your way back out again! Harness that incredible bowl of porridge in your cranium and force it to work for you. And remember, as tough as this moment may be, all this too shall pass. Ya just gotta survive it, soldier!
The human mind is an amazing bowl of porridge. But despite its best efforts, from time to time we all find our minds sinking into the subterranean mire of a deep blue funk, and ironically, that's usually when we need our faculties about us the most, because tough times and angst tend to go hand in hand.
So let's assume that you're facing both - the trying circumstances and the attendant blues. What can you do to change gears in your loft? How can you get your mindset out of fight-or-flight mode and back into that creative, problem-solving state? After all, now's the time you need it most.
Here are six suggestions:
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| Douglas R Kruger |
1. Head the Wisdom of the Austrian
A wise Austrian philosopher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, once made an interesting point. It was in the movie Terminator Three, when a young John Connor, faced with extreme duress, appeared to be going off the rails mentally. Noting this, Arnie, as the Terminator, grabs John, lifts him off of his feet and holds him up in the air.
Initially, John is scared, but after a few moments, his squeamish wiggles turn to angry batting. The Terminator sets him down and a livid John demands, "Why did you do that?!" The Terminator answers, "Because anger is more useful than despair. "
And it's true. Faced with darkness, we have a choice. We can either think our way into a hole. Or we can get angry, rebel, and start to look for real solutions. In a straight choice between despair and anger, choose anger.
2. Acknowledge that you need your brain back and ask for it!
Self-talk is a powerful thing. Start with this little exercise: Go to a private place - shut the door or take a walk - and have a talk with yourself out loud. Use your own script, but make sure it's something like this:
"Right, I acknowledge that I'm under a lot of pressure right now. A ridiculous amount, in fact! But for that reason, I need to be at the top of my game. I really need my mind to be working on my side and not against me. I don't need to fall into a pit of self-pity. Instead, I need to roll up the sleeves inside my head and get busy! This is a street-fight, but I know I've got what it takes. So let's get started. . . !"
3. List the things you'd need to completely solve your scenario
This is called Possibility Thinking. And you don't need to be too logical about it. Being elaborately imaginative and mentally generous is better. You can wheedle out the unrealistic stuff later. For now, think big. Dream. Imagine. Dance, Julie Andrews-like, across the high Alps of what could be.
Then, take a piece of paper or open a blank Word document and list the things that would completely solve your problems. Your list might look like this:
* Two hundred thousand grand would solve my debt issues
* A drop/gain of 10 kilograms would get me to where I want to be physically
* Three really big corporate clients, paying on a regular basis, would solve my cash-flow issues
* One book behind my name would position me as an expert
. . . and so on.
When you've done this, allow yourself a few more moments to carry on with your imaginary journey. Imagine, in as vivid detail as you can, how good life could be with your issues completely solved and resolved.
And also, don't just imagine it in negative terms, like 'no more debt'. Instead, imagine it in positive terms, such as, 'prosperous and wealthy and building my legacy each day'. Make the imagery as specific as possible.
4. Brainstorm 'To Do' items
While you're still in Possibility-Thinking mode, go through your list of needs again. Next to each of them, jot down, quickly and without pausing to evaluate how 'reasonable' your ideas may be, as many thoughts as you can for steps you might take to achieve those things.
When you run out of momentum, pause for a minute or two, and force yourself to come up with a few more ideas. You'd be surprised how many you can conjure up when you press your mind just a little harder, just that tiny bit more!
Then decide which items are most likely to succeed, and/or, would be of most value to you if they did succeed. Naturally, those are the ones you should get busy with.
Of course, if we're honest with ourselves, this is often easier said than done when we're down in the dumps.
If you do find yourself flagging or feeling discouraged, try not to fixate on the size of the task. Instead, try just dabbling a little. In other words, don't commit yourself to carrying out a huge campaign.
Just make the first phone call. Don't think of how daunting it would be to write the whole book. Just jot down some thoughts on possible chapters. Dabble in the shallow waters and you will find that your mind starts to become interested in the task. Not only that, but a small amount of dabbling can lead to small initial successes, which will spur you on.
5. Give your mind a dose of sugar
At key points throughout your day, as you wrestle with the twin beasts of your psyche and the problem at hand, remember to give yourself the occasional break. Make sure it's a complete break. Do something that takes your mind as far away from your troubles as possible. Watch Star Wars. Dig a swimming pool! Teach your dog the Pasa Doble!
As a general guideline, try to avoid watching or listening to anything featuring the same sort of drama you are facing, and the news. Escapism is the key. Personally, I like Phineas and Ferb on the Disney channel, and you need to be kind to your mind.
6. And finally, remember to celebrate each success
Money may be tight, but you have to celebrate the small successes. If you can't toast them with champagne, treat yourself to a stern cup of coffee, by Jove! But do something to acknowledge each step forward. Dip into the self-talk again and give yourself a convincing speech about how well you're doing under the circumstances. No sarcasm here. Just reinforcement.
You thunk your way in. You can darn well think your way back out again! Harness that incredible bowl of porridge in your cranium and force it to work for you. And remember, as tough as this moment may be, all this too shall pass. Ya just gotta survive it, soldier!
Douglas Kruger is a professional speaker, trainer and author of '50 Ways to Become a Better Speaker.' Watch him in action or read more of his articles at: http://www.douglaskruger.co.za. Email: kruger@compute.co.za
Douglas Kruger speaks on the mindset of productivity. Check out his topics, articles and videos at: http://www.douglaskruger.co.za
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