Empower Newsletter – June 2017
| Welcome to the June 2017 edition of the Empower Newsletter. This month the focus is on getting ‘out of our head’ and becoming more mindful.
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Do you know? |
‘what being in your head costs you’
Although you were physically there, have you ever felt like you missed out on the whole experience, either in a social environment or with something you were doing, all because you were too busy overthinking and having a discussion with yourself? When I say ‘missing out’, I mean feeling like even though you were there in person you didn’t feel involved or that you even participated.
This is typically what it feels like when we are ‘in our head’ too much.
When I say ‘in our head’ I mean not being entirely present in the moment because you are thinking way too much. Either dwelling on something that has been said or something that has happened; or maybe even thinking about what you will say next and then having a debate with yourself as to what the reaction will be and whether you should even say it in the first place. And before you know it the moment has gone and the cycle starts all over again.
When we are ‘in our head’ too much we traditionally become ultra-quiet and quite often the conversation will stall. When we let go of calculated responses and become more spontaneous by communicating openly we become more present to the stimulating feeling that ‘being in the moment’ brings. Being present allows us to fully participate, connect and interact with whatever is happening in our current situation and environment.
Another common scenario for being ‘in our head’ is dwelling for far too long on a comment you took personally, trying to work out what was actually meant by it or on what response you should have given at the time. We all have things that set us off: snarky emails, annoying colleagues, mindless drivers.
This behaviour keeps us stuck in the past and stuck from moving forward. So instead of being ‘in your head,’ consciously start choosing to replace your reaction with the flash of being present.
Practicing mindfulness will ultimately bring a lot more joy and happiness into your life by creating better relationships, having more fun, feeling more relaxed, liking yourself more,
having better interactions and making deeper connections.
Definition |
Mindfulness
Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.
Something to Ponder |
Tips for mindfulness
* Focus on how you want your future to be and what you need to do to get it
* Divest from the outcome
* Start trusting that everything will be fine
* Be patient with yourself
* Consciously practice quieting your mind in one area at a time
* Learn how to “get back on track” in the moment
* Don’t try to figure others out.
* Your thoughts are not facts. In other words, don’t believe everything you think
* Accept that you can’t change what happened in the past
* Let it go, for your sake. Buddhist psychologist Jack Kornfield teaches, “It is not necessary to be loyal to your suffering”
* Create an intention to be open and present
* Listen intently without thinking how you are going to respond.
* Stop trying so hard, relax and just be you
* Trust that you are perfect just the way you are
Quote of the Month
“Being in your head too much only creates problems that aren’t even there.”
Affirmation Corner
‘I trust that everything will work out fine.’
Newsletters | Di | 
May 31, 2017 4:46 pm
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