Manage your mind

An unfocussed mind can become a hindrance to your progress and level of productivity. Here are some tips for getting your mind into shape.

Be targeted in your thoughts: Don’t let your mind be a pot pourri of thoughts or dumping ground of meaningless information. When your mind is too busy or directionless, it creates unnecessary tension. So direct your thoughts in line with your priorities, goals and where you’re headed.

Learn to quiet your mind: Plan quiet time for thinking, analysing and reflection. List down things to avoid so that you don’t even engage your brain on non-issues and things that are not part of your core priorities. Think about the way you think. Question the way you think. Make a daily practice of asking yourself at the end of the day what you have learnt about your thoughts, what you’d like to improve and how you will do so. The mind is the battleground for success or failure so do your best to nurture it otherwise at best it will slow you down and at worst fail you when you face critical situations or points where a clear thinking mind would be required.

Have a trigger monitor: Keep out fruitless, circuitous or poor thinking. Develop the habit of grooming a healthy mind. Find a way to monitor and interrupt negative and toxic thoughts. Look out for any destructive patterns or powerful negative beliefs that are subconsciously taking you in the wrong direction. Keep away from negative people, complainers whose negative talk will pollute your thoughts. Intentionally put into your head each day ideas and thoughts that help you do your best thinking daily and be better able to cope with difficult circumstances or obstacles when they come up.

Now take action: What dominant poor thinking habit must you get rid off?