Becoming Mindful of Your Thoughts: An Exercise
At this point many of you may have heard about mind reprogramming or neural plasticity.
About changing your thoughts and your beliefs to change your life, but wonder how to go about doing it.
One of the first things you need to do in order to change them is to become aware consciously of what you are telling yourself.
What the little voice running through your head is whispering in your ear day in and day out.
This is a one week exercise to get you accustomed to becoming aware of the story you are telling yourself with your thoughts.
Go out and purchase a discreet notepad and pen that you will use exclusively for our little exercise; keep in mind that these items need to be kept with you at all times.
The first page of your notepad will be titled; "Positive Thoughts" while the second page will be titled; "Negative Thoughts".
Throughout the day make a point to write down the thoughts running through your head as they are happening.
ALL of them.
Break them down into one of the two categories.
Obviously, if you are driving or doing anything that requires your immediate attention then wait until you are stopped at a traffic light or have a free moment to jot them down quickly.
The exercise may be hit or miss a few times before you get the hang of 'catching' your thoughts so don't beat yourself up over those you 'miss', simply remind yourself to pay closer attention next time.
Every morning for the next week when you wake up set the intention by telling yourself you will be aware of your thoughts.
After the end of the week go back and read everything you have written, NOT before.
How many of your thoughts are positive? How many are negative or indifferent? Do you notice a pattern to them? What is the story you are telling yourself? Is this the story you want to be telling yourself? If so, then fantastic! You're heading in the right direction.
If not, you have a good view into what you need to change.
If you feel one week is not enough to get to the heart of your internal belief system, then go ahead and do this exercise for two weeks instead.
Make a point to not go back and read what you have written until you have come to the end of the two week period.
About changing your thoughts and your beliefs to change your life, but wonder how to go about doing it.
One of the first things you need to do in order to change them is to become aware consciously of what you are telling yourself.
What the little voice running through your head is whispering in your ear day in and day out.
This is a one week exercise to get you accustomed to becoming aware of the story you are telling yourself with your thoughts.
Go out and purchase a discreet notepad and pen that you will use exclusively for our little exercise; keep in mind that these items need to be kept with you at all times.
The first page of your notepad will be titled; "Positive Thoughts" while the second page will be titled; "Negative Thoughts".
Throughout the day make a point to write down the thoughts running through your head as they are happening.
ALL of them.
Break them down into one of the two categories.
Obviously, if you are driving or doing anything that requires your immediate attention then wait until you are stopped at a traffic light or have a free moment to jot them down quickly.
The exercise may be hit or miss a few times before you get the hang of 'catching' your thoughts so don't beat yourself up over those you 'miss', simply remind yourself to pay closer attention next time.
Every morning for the next week when you wake up set the intention by telling yourself you will be aware of your thoughts.
After the end of the week go back and read everything you have written, NOT before.
How many of your thoughts are positive? How many are negative or indifferent? Do you notice a pattern to them? What is the story you are telling yourself? Is this the story you want to be telling yourself? If so, then fantastic! You're heading in the right direction.
If not, you have a good view into what you need to change.
If you feel one week is not enough to get to the heart of your internal belief system, then go ahead and do this exercise for two weeks instead.
Make a point to not go back and read what you have written until you have come to the end of the two week period.
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