Taming the Chatter

Introduction:

Harness your mind chatter as a catalyst for growth. Turn negative inner dialogue into self-improvement. Explore the phenomenon and conquer it.

The Nature of Mind Chatter

Mind chatter is constant and can be overwhelming, especially in important situations. It feeds off uncertainty, bringing up past failures and making scary predictions about the future. It keeps you from being present and following expert advice to stay focused. Mind chatter often feels like it's working against you, but it's important to understand that it's a normal part of being human and not necessarily bad. It's a natural response that helps you anticipate problems and challenges for your own protection. In survival situations, this cautious thinking is helpful. However, in sports or other performance situations, it can be too cautious and not helpful. Recognizing this can help you understand that your mind is just trying to keep you safe in uncomfortable situations.

4 Steps to Manage Mind Chatter:

1. Expect inner thoughts: Inner thoughts often arise when there's uncertainty and high stakes. Understand that it's normal.

2. Allow for inner thoughts: Instead of fighting or quieting them, acknowledge their presence. Accept that inner thoughts are part of the journey when you step outside your comfort zone.

3. Set clear goals: Focus on achievable "action goals" that keep you present and focused on the process, rather than the final outcome.

4. Embrace bravery, not just confidence: Don't wait for confidence to come before taking action. Know that bravery is your ally, allowing you to commit to your goals, even without feeling fully confident.

Preparing for Mind Chatter:

To effectively deal with mind chatter, put a plan in place. Recognize its predictability and understand that resisting it is counterproductive. When you're prepared for its arrival, you can respond appropriately, keeping it in its rightful place.

Acknowledging and Making Room for Chatter:

Instead of trying to suppress mind chatter, give it space to exist. Imagine it as a persistent guest knocking at your door. Welcoming it and recognizing its predictable messages can diminish its impact on your performance. Some I work with give it a fist bump or high-five and say: I was expecting you.

Giving Chatter a Role:

Assign mind chatter a job. For example, because it’s so good at protecting you - think of it in this light and ask it to stand watch and protect the environment while you focus on your performance or task. Engage in relaxed conversations with your chatter, letting it know your plans.

Thank Your Chatter:

When you hear the whispers of doubt, consider "thanking your chatter for sharing." This action is a way to acknowledge that it's doing its job, albeit with a catastrophic agenda. It distinguishes your goals from the chatter's agenda and helps you maintain control.

Action Goals Before Confidence:

Focus on specific, controllable "action goals" rather than relying on confidence to drive your performance. These goals can be small technical or strategic areas that you can act on during your competition. Confidence is not a predictor of performance. Many success stories begin with someone who is on shaky confidence ground, only to overcome and succeed. They did becuase they had the courage to try. So turn your focus to your goals, in the present, and pursue them with intense courage. This will keep your attention on the process of our goals

Conclusion:

As you embark on your journey to master your mind and take control of mind chatter, remember that courage is your ally. Don't let a lack of confidence deter you from pursuing your goals. Instead, adopt an improvement mindset, commit to your action goals, and embrace the inevitable mind chatter as part of your journey to success.

Inspiration of Viktor Frankl

By acknowledging and planning for mind chatter, you're taking control of the narrative. You're proactively finding meaning in those negative thoughts and transforming them into opportunities for growth and self-understanding. This approach reclaims your mental autonomy and reduces the impact of mind chatter on your performance. Put courage before confidence and make mind chatter work for you, not against you.