You Can Handle Your Thinking
The roadblocks people encounter when they have had an inspiring vision can feel personal. Someone’s had an idea, but they’ve encountered hardships, or it was rejected, and as a result they’re just not willing to put in the effort (or their self), for risk of further pain. As a result, the ego is protected, but the great ideas are sabotaged.
What if we could look at those roadblocks as an opportunity that could transform us; to choose to go ahead and make that idea real? First, we need to do a better job handling our own thinking to intercept the self-sabotage.
Getting unstuck can’t be realized until you overcome your own thinking; to accept that your thinking is neither good, nor bad, but just thoughts; to accept that the array of emotions that bubble up are a part of us; they all belong to the chemistry that is who we are.
We have flexibility over how we interpret our experiences and thinking. Using the metaphor of thoughts as clouds in the visualization strategy below opens up the notion of that choice; that we can interpret our own experiences, just like we each have our own interpretations of clouds in the sky.
Consider when negative thinking has left you feeling helpless and a little hopeless about things. That Inner Critic, when it’s in control, can turn an unfortunate set of events into a self-directed criticism that can have a damaging impact on your objective assessment of a situation, and your own self-worth. People describe how their thinking can take over as having a “monkey mind”.
If you find it hard to imagine being able to control your thinking, here is one strategy you can start – often referred to as “Clouds in the Sky”. I believe with practice, anyone can find the inner calm and acceptance that comes from this practice.
I want you to visualize your mind as the sky and thoughts as clouds. You are the observer of all of this, from a place of distance, and as you see your cloud thoughts enter into the sky of your mind, you simply see and observe them. “Now I see myself thinking this thought; now I see myself interpreting what just happened; now I see myself experiencing this feeling” etc. Take a few minutes daily to sit, close your eyes, and allow your thoughts to float in and out of your mind.
As you become more aware that thoughts are impermanent and changing, that they are not necessarily a part of you, you can allow your thoughts and experiences to flow, with less judgment.
As you use this visualization practice regularly, you can tap into your deep-down, intuitive thinking.
It might surprise you what you discover (or re-discover), as you develop more control over your own thinking, and develop more awareness.
If you choose a non-judgmental way to observe your own thinking and experiences, what else might show up for you that is surprising?
Next Steps
In the coming weeks: here are some action steps to develop more control over your thinking
Make a daily commitment to practice the “Clouds in the Sky” visualization
Take small steps towards goals or ideas that are in your control
Over time, you can expect….
A more positive mindset
An opening up to new possibilities
Join my upcoming Group Program entitled “A Guide to Sticking to Your Plan (For Real This Time), starting on January 8, 2021
With greater awareness, a powerful vision, and the right allies, starting and sticking to your plan is possible! Stop dreaming, start doing!
This six week program will help you:
· Get energized about moving forward with your ideas and projects
· Develop your skills to manage the unpleasant feelings that hold you back
· Bring focus to your goals and guard your project from detractors
· Ask for and accept support and learn how to talk out loud about your project
· Enjoy the process and stay on track to reach the finish line
Join me on an upcoming Zoom call to hear more about what you can expect from the program, and see if it’s a good fit for you.
Date options are December 4, 9:00am EST or Dec 11, 12pm EST.