Here’s a really simple and powerful rule of thumb:
If you ever have anxiety about it, you have faulty beliefs about it.
Byron Katie said something like this: “If you’re feeling unpleasant, it is because at that moment you are believing a thought that is simply not true.”
The practice of strengthening your mind fundamentally involves consistently asking yourself questions like: “How am I feeling right now? How is my inner state?” This is called self-inquiry. It’s predicated upon awareness – which strengthens, like anything, with rehearsal.
Here’s one of the most fundamental and powerful Mental Toughness disciplines or exercises that you can use to upgrade your state when you’re feeling low:
CATCH –> OWN –> REPLACE
Step one is to catch yourself when you’re feeling poorly. Step two is to take ownership of that by acknowledging that your state isn’t due to anything external, but rather it is solely the product of your thinking in that moment. And step three is to replace, or upgrade your thoughts and thus your mood.
It’s a powerful habit to get into – upgrading your state. After all, the better you feel, the better you are – at everything (except being miserable).
13 Comments
Byron Katie is always right on and we use her words when we teach
the Sedona Method about Letting Go. It works wonders!
This is powerful advice–along with the suggestion of practice. I have incorporated this practice for myself and can now “instantly” shift my mental state whenever “I” choose! GREAT Stuff
Thank you Chris. This is exactly what I needed to hear today.
Thank you Chris :)))))
Perfection as always!
Thank you Chris! I needed this today!
I love when that happens, Christi!
Very powerful, timely, and true! Just what I needed, applying it right now! Anxiety and fear is a lie. As it is said fear is F.alse E.vidence A.ppearing R.eal. Thanks Chris!
Agreed. Anxiety is the result of thinking disastrously about the future. Chronic anxiety and chronic depression can be reversed by practicing reversing the disastrous thinking over time. The term lie here is aggressive. Intentionally. It simply means a thought that is not true. Seems true. But isn’t true.
Flying ALWAYS gets me stressed. Getting to the airport on time, dealing with security, making the gate, etc.. your advice does help so thank you. I need to keep practicing 🙂
Hey, Mitch! PRACTICE is the key! Practicing upgrading thinking all day every day!!!
Very refreshing and super empowering notion! 💥
Excellent, Margie! I agree!