How to Take Charge of Your Mind Clutter

By: Lisa Birnesser

Willingness to change is a strength, even if it means plunging part of the company into total confusion for a while.—Jack Welch

Spring is coming this week.  And with some people, spring means cleaning closets and sweeping cobwebs out of your home. But does this annual spring cleaning ritual have to be limited to cleaning the garage or kitchen cupboard? Clutter can collect in your mind, too causing stress. You can take charge and clear the mind clutter that gets in the way of your happiness.

There are stories that you tell yourself that are just not true. These stories might have been given to you by important people in your life when you were a small child from a parent or teacher. Or maybe it was an experience you had later in life that has blocked you for creating a happier life. Regardless of where the stories came from, you could have beliefs that cause stress and block your happiness.

So let’s take a look at how to take charge of your mind clutter:

Discover Your Stories

What stories do you tell yourself that no longer serve you? Do you tell yourself things that are mean and wouldn’t dream of telling someone you love? Then you have found your story. If you say to yourself, “I can’t do it” or “I’m not good at it” then you have made your belief come true. Believe in yourself. Decide if it is a skill that can be learned with practice. Explore the benefits of keeping and getting rid of your self-limiting beliefs. Many times, these negative thoughts are like comfortable old slippers. You know you need a new pair but it’s easier to slip on the ones that your toes peek through. Writing in a journal can be a great way to see thought patterns you would like to change. Don’t become too stuck in where the thought came from. It can be a distraction from taking action in cleaning out your mind.

Acknowledge the Lie You Tell Yourself

Become aware of when you tell yourself the self-limiting story. These worn out self-limiting thought can sneak in without you being aware of it. Sometimes, you might see how a belief is woven throughout the fabric of your day. For example, If you believe you are not good at communicating, then this could affect both your work and home life. Acknowledging the limiting belief is the first step in shifting your behavior.

Speak Your Truth

Sometimes there might be an element of truth in your belief. These limiting thought can have disclaimers attached, like always or never. Those extremes in a behavior are probably unlikely. Fear can stand in the way with excuses for why you can’t let that belief go. Ask yourself, “What would my life look like if this thought wasn’t in my way?”  What problems associated with this belief could actually be transformed? Get clear about the truth of your belief. Ask a trusted friend, coach or counselor for feedback. This one tip could relieve enormous stress.

New Habits, New Beliefs

The best news is that you get to be in charge of how your beliefs are rewritten. Pick one belief you would like to de-clutter at a time. Overwhelming yourself with too many changes at once can be a recipe for failure. List what benefits you would receive from changing up just one behavior. Keep those with you in your wallet or smartphone to remember why you are de-cluttering your mind. Practice your new found skill each day. Be gentle on yourself during the change process. You didn’t learn how to play an instrument in one day. You practiced until you mastered the skill. Yes, you are going to play a sour note from time to time. Keep on track, take action and course correct as you move toward your goal.

Clean out the cobwebs and confront the stories that no longer serve you. Replace them with your truth of the real you by taking charge of your mind clutter. What one belief would you like to clean up? Let me know in the comments below!

This article originally was published here: www.thestressreliefprogram.com/home

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Lisa Birnesser owns and works as a stress coach at Stress Relief Solutions. For over 25 years she has worked in the health care field, studying stress relief techniques. As a result, she has helped thousands of people reduce stress in their lives. Lisa helps relieve stress of successful women and entrepreneurs.

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