NEVER Do This
Keywords
mindful, thoughts, flexing, neuroplasticity, brain, interview, book, affirmation, confident, neural pathway, israelites, coach, keen observations, neural architecture, identity, actions, mind, die, path, general counsel
0:00 Hello and welcome to Mindful in 5, helping you discover your peaceful path. I'm your host Spiwe Jefferson, author of the Mindful in 5 book series.
0.14 Today, the title of our episode is never do this. Here are examples that will tip you off to what this is. Once upon a time a long time ago, there was a man named Job. In a short period of time, he lost everything. You've heard the story before, but this is a different flavor. His kids were killed, his crops were destroyed, his livestock died as he sat in his grief in sackcloth and ash. One of his keen observations was to say something like “That, which I feared greatly, has come to pass.” If you're thinking that the don't do this is don't sit in sackcloth and ash, you are wrong.
01:17 Once upon a time, a long time ago, a civilization of Israelites was rescued from slavery in Egypt by a fella named Moses, when they found themselves trapped between Pharaohs pursuing army and the Red Sea. And in fact, every time they faced a challenge, like thirst, or hunger, or the desire for meat, the Israelites cried out and lamented that Moses had led them from Egypt only to let them die in the wilderness. That entire generation did, in fact, die in the wilderness. If you're thinking that the “don't do this”, is don't crave meat, you are also wrong.
02:16 Today, we explore the intricate relationship between our thoughts, neuroplasticity, and our eventual actions and identities. We'll begin with three thought provoking quotes. So what is this that you should never do? superbrain coach Jim quick said it best, “Never say anything that you don't want to be true.” My favorite motivational coach Zig Ziglar said, “You move towards the strongest impression in your mind.” My favorite spiritual coach, Jesus said, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Okay, provocative, right? But these codes nonetheless, emphasize the undeniable weight of our thoughts. neuroscientific research reveals that our brains are malleable, continuously shaped by our experiences, and most importantly, our repeated thoughts.
03:29 This phenomenon is known as neuroplasticity. I like to simply call it thought habit, when we affirm something, whether positive or negative neural pathways strengthen, making it easier for such thoughts to recur. It's just like when you go to the gym - I was talking about this with a friend recently - you go to the gym, and let's say you keep flexing and exercising your biceps over time, those muscles are going to get stronger, they're going to grow. And there will come a time when you don't have to physically think about flexing in order for you to simply move your arm up into the right position and your bicep will just automatically flex. Your brain works the same way. It is essential to cultivate thoughts that align with a peaceful, confident and successful vision of yourself. Because what you predict and say about yourself, will ultimately prove to be true. If you believe you are going to crush it at work this week, you're much more likely to bring that vision to reality. If you think you will be crushed at work this week. You're probably right about that too.
04:53 These quotes all highlight the brain's tendency to move in the direction of Dhamma mental thought. Just as a river carves a path through the landscape, our repetitive thoughts over time, carve a path. And it defines our neural architecture. Filling our minds with clear, joyful and confident impressions propels us towards success and fulfillment. Harnessing the power of our mind, involves deliberate intention, when faced with an unproductive or negative thought, is crucial, not just to dismiss that thought, but to replace it actively with what you want. draw upon a confident affirmation or a memory where you felt such successful and focused, reinforcing. And that is the neural pathway that you want to cultivate. I like to say, first, we think, then we do, then we become our transformation from thought to action, to identity is inevitable and grounded in the science of neuroplasticity. Guard your thoughts as they determine your neural landscape and consequently, your actions and identity, even the way that you frame your positive thoughts matters. For example, you might say, I want to be I'm a lawyer. So I might say, I want to be the best general counsel ever. That's what I do today. Well, if what I expresses a desire to become that thing, then maybe I will never be that thing. Because what I will always do is be in the state of wanting to become that thing. Whereas if my affirmation is, I am the best general counsel ever, I am much more likely to become the thing that I profess. So whether it's, if you're out of a job and you're looking, rather than saying, I want to be gainfully employed, you can wake up and you can say, I am gainfully employed, the perfect role for me, is right here waiting. I am in the perfect role for me. And even if that isn't true, right this minute, you are much more likely to interview your way into that role. I find when I am interviewing, my most successful interviews are ones where I walked into the interview, already liking and extending love to my interviewers, where I thought of them not just as this person who's making me nervous, who I'm interviewing with, but this is my colleague whom I love. And I am more likely to be relaxed, I'm more likely to really connect with that person. And they're much more likely to see how we will be as colleagues and therefore I'm more likely to get that job offer. And so, in conclusion, understanding the brain's adaptability reminds us of the significance of maintaining clarity and positivity in our thoughts. By embracing ideas that resonate with peace, joy and focus, we actively shape our brain for success and wellbeing. Thank you for joining another episode of mindful in five, stay clear, stay focused and always move towards joy and the outcome you want to see in your life. Until next time, this is Spiwe saying be mindful and be well.
James@DiscovertheVoice
07:07 Thank you for listening to Mindful in 5. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend. Follow and rate it on your favorite podcast platform. Pick up your signed copy of the book in journal from SpiweJefferson.com or unsigned copies from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or wherever you get your books. Visit SpiweJefferson.com to download sample chapters of the book, watch videos and become a mindful ninja. Join us on the LinkedIn Mindful in 5 group and share your thoughts. Until next time, be mindful and be well.