Retrain Your Mind :: Stop Worry Now

You know me — and the neuroscience coaching end of things. 🙂 I’m on a mission to educate folks about the dangers of thinking negative thoughts. Every thought you think becomes embedded in the brain and actually creates a neural connection that represents that thought.

Every time you think that thought it gets reinforced.

Every time you parrot that negativity to someone else — speaking, writing, projecting on social media, you dig the trench deeper.

Then it goes on autopilot and it just becomes who you are — or rather, you become it. Same thing happens with positive thoughts and actions. This is how we create habits (self-automations) that run our lives. Same concept. One is used for bad, the other is used for good :).

I know everyone I work with and know wants more good in their life. And, the good news is that you have complete control over that. What you think is a choice.

This is why it’s so important to avoid negativity and focus on other things. Sure, it’s important to be informed about the world around you. But to let it hijack your thinking is to lease it real estate in your brain. Once it moves in, it’s not moving out. So be careful what you think and what you allow into your eyes and ears.

Here are some quick tips to start retraining your mind. Does it work in a day. No. In a month. Likely not. It’s a way of life you need to choose for yourself. You have a lot of neural networks to rewire. The best time to start is NOW!

#1 Recognize that worrying is a habit — like all the other habits you have. It’s under your control to break the habit. Worrying won’t change anything. What it will do is create changes in your brain (new neural networks) that keep getting reinforced every time you worry. Eventually the ruts become so deep, you just stay in them or easily slip into them. It takes hard work to lessen the effects of the ruts and to create new more productive ones, but the results — less worry and more joy – are definitely worth it!

#2 Understand that worrying accomplishes nothing positive. Unfortunately, all of its effects are negative. It affects your mood, your energy level, and even impacts your health. Other people don’t want to be around you because negative emotions are contagious and folks already have enough of their own problems on their plates. Worrying changes only one thing — and that’s you. It won’t change the past or the future, but it destroys you in the present — as long as you keep fixated on it. Change your thoughts, change your life. It works.

#3 Rather than worry, find other productive things to do. When you feel your thoughts flowing into the worry rut, make a hard turn and pop yourself out of those tracks. Sing a song, read an uplifting book, start saying powerful and positive affirmations aloud. Do whatever it takes to stop worrying. Distract your mind in a new and more productive direction.

Moving on from worry to wow …

Your day wouldn’t be complete without saying, “Something good is going to happen for me today!” It works! Be present. Be well. Be grateful. Most of all, be brave!