Thinking About Thinking

How do we begin changing what we accept to be reality? How does that shift influence our thinking, actions, and outcomes?

I just completed an incredible course, Breakthrough Thinking, through Gap International (highly recommend) that explored thinking about our thinking. As course participants, we were guided and supported to look at memories of experiences that have shaped strong beliefs in how we show up and approach our work, interactions, and relationships. Once we can see these foundational thoughts generating limiting actions, we have the opportunity to make a choice. We can choose what serves us and the results we want to achieve. This work of delving into how we think and what contributes to what we think and do as a result is a direct extension of the Coaching Training and methodologies I have learned and leverage to support individuals and teams through challenge, change, and opportunity. If we are open to it, this is lifelong work.

The power of our thinking is immense and impacts everything in our lives, yet, we often don’t create the time or moments needed to bring awareness to our thoughts, curiously evaluate them, and choose an intentionally different thought supporting a different course of action and outcome from when we were on autopilot. Our thinking could sound like, "I'm not speaking up in this meeting because I always make a mistake." or "This team is way out of my league." or "It's ok they aren't listening to me." or "They just don't get it."

This work isn’t for all thoughts, as we might all slow down to sloth speed dissecting everything and losing ourselves and our effectiveness in the process. There are, however, many opportunities to do this work and support better outcomes for ourselves and others. Try noticing your thoughts and seeking out their origin.  Ask yourself if that thinking serves you well or takes you down a rabbit hole. If it's the latter, then take ownership and update your thinking. Happy thinking exploration!