How To Use The Powerful States Of Mind For Growth

Our mind is much more powerful than we actually think. The way we use this powerful instrument governs where we are in our lives.

But, how many of us really know how to use it in the best possible way?

Very few, perhaps.

It has been found that most of us live a major part of our lives in an autopilot mode without being aware of the fact that it is us who own the mind and our minds do not own us.

Sad but true!

A human mind creates more than 50000 thoughts every day on average. It is always important to check where your focus of thinking is. At times, it is the internal focus where you are aware that we are actually thinking. For instance, while reading this article, you must be able to hear the sound of the words that go past your eyes. But, is this focus fully internal? No. But, when you hear a dialogue in your mind-is it worth reading this article now, or I should better watch a video online, the focus shifts inside and therefore is internal.

Now that you have understood what internal focus is, let me help you understand how to identify if your focus is external. External focus lies outside your head. You might be thinking something, but you are just not aware of it and therefore your attention is on what you see or what is going on, not on how you actually feel about it good or bad. I want you to recall a time in your life when you entered your room to talk to one of your siblings and the moment you started your conversation, you forgot what you had to say. A situation like this is not uncommon. In fact, all of us, at times get into something called the autopilot mode.

 How should we actually think?

It is always good to maintain a healthy balance. You should be able to switch over from one state of mind to another. Regardless of your focus-internal or external-you thinking maybe positive and negative. Having said that, I mean that your focus does not necessarily determine whether or not your thinking is positive.

When your thinking is negatively structured inwards, you might find yourself criticising, anxious or sad with a negative dialogue in your head. However, as your focus shifts outwards, the same thinking pattern will create an autopilot mode where you do not do things, things happen to you. Therefore, it is important to note that both these patterns are harmful.

The ideal way to think when your focus is inwards would be to check the quality of thoughts that pop up in your mind. If you find them stressful or illogical, you can simply replace them with positive ones. Yes, you heard that right. You are more powerful than your thoughts. Once you stare at your thoughts and embrace them, they will slowly weaken and eventually fade up in your mind. Your thoughts never want you to look at them or label them as good or bad. So, the next time, you are anxious thinking about the future or depressed thinking about the past, just calm down and start looking at your thoughts. Watch them as a detached observer and trust me you will see the magic too.

Now, I am sure you will ask me how to think ideally when your focus is outside.

Look, as I said earlier that you will need a healthy balance between your focus. But, you should always make sure that your thinking is not harmful to your overall wellbeing or quality of life or your relationship with others. Therefore, you cannot afford to stay in autopilot mode either. Instead, you should be engaged. You need to stop multitasking. Just go for one task at a time. If you choose to watch a movie, just watch it without having to do so many other things. Over a period of time, you will realise that you are more engaged and if you ever get stuck in the auto-pilot mode of thinking, I am sure you will soon come out of it.

Bottom line-Use your mental and intellectual powers to construct the life you desire to live.