Take control of your brain.
When we aren’t actively focused on something—for example, if we are daydreaming or vaguely replaying our day—our brain goes into default mode—neuroscientists actually call it the default network. Scientists don’t understand this particular phenomenon very well, but I have spent the last few years noticing my own and others’ default patterns or habits. When driving in the car or walking from one place to another, our default mode is either positive or, more often, negative.
Examples of negative thought patterns are:
- Reviewing your day and lamenting what you could have said instead of what you did say
- Wondering what others think of you
- Reviewing your to-do list even if you have it written down in three places
- Worrying about how long the line at the grocery store is going to be
The best way to stop a habit is to replace it with another one. If you notice that your default mode tends to be negative, try substituting one of these positive habits:
- Visualize a map pointing out everyone who loves you—and imagine beaming love at them.
- Make a list in your head of everything you are grateful for. Be specific—for example, don’t just list “my health” if it is good; list all the things are great about being healthy: Your brain works well, enabling you to have an interesting job, and your knees work well, allowing you to practice yoga.
- If you find yourself complaining about something, think of what your life would be like without it. For example, if you are annoyed about sitting at a long traffic light, think about the chaos and gridlock that would exist if the light weren’t there!
Your brain is always working. Help it move in a positive direction that serves you—who you want to be and where you want to go. Just because life moves fast doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful and meaningful and special. As you plunge headlong into the last month of the year, give positive thought patterns a try!
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