What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Most of us usually reach for our handphone to check for any notification updates, right after we silence the alarm. Or maybe you are probably oblivious about the morning and go about with your day.
Whichever the case, our ‘programs’ are running your everyday life.
As much as we would like to think of ourselves as dynamic individuals, we are the product of our ‘programs’ — habits, accumulated over time — regardless of whether we realise it or not.
And if you are feeling especially lousy on a Monday, you are probably wired to think negatively because of your constant perception of it.
Maybe because we relate Mondays to the beginning of the grind. Experience tells us that this means getting back to work after a weekend’s worth of rest and relax. This also means that we are living in the past and our brain processes this information to construct the expected this painful scenario.
What if we take a step back and be conscious of your thoughts?
Rehearsing this is important. Some of the questions that we can use to follow up are to seek clarity on the following:
- Why do I think this and behave this way?
- Do I feel sorry for yourself and allow your energy to drop because of this?
- Is there a better way out of this?
How to trick your brain with visualisation
The brain cannot tell the difference between imagination and reality. When we close our eyes and imagine us visualising the things we want to achieve, the brain will closely follow your imagination and begin to think that this is the reality.
Instead of seeing Mondays as drag, visualise it as a productive day when you can get ahead of everyone else and blaze through with ease.
So now, your brain will not log into your programs of the past, effectively chartering a new course into the future!
Reinforcing your visuals
Look at yourself from a 3rd person perspective, away from your thoughts. What kind of person do you want to be? Why do you feel that way? Who are your heroes in life?
Using visual cues such as wall quotes, physical items (tokens) or photos of your favourite heroes are a great way to remind ourselves of who we want to emulate. I have a photo of Bruce Lee, Mohammad Ali and Rocky Balboa as my desktop wallpaper. Arnold Schwarzenegger might soon join the A-list after I chanced upon this wonderful speech on YouTube.
“What thoughts do I want to fire and wire to my brain? What choices do I make? What will (insert hero’s name) do if he were in my shoes?”
Give it some time.
So put on a smile and begin to install the new neurological hardware to your system.
Visualise and eventually, you will get there someday, God willing.
Thanks for reading! Tap the clap if you like this!
