Why Flipping Your Mental Switch Helps You Feel Better

They say that the majority of the thoughts we have day in and day out are the exact replica of the thoughts we had the day before and the day before that.  Original thoughts are actually very rare because by the time we’re 7 years old, we’ve established the auto-repeat of the “tape” which sets the tone for how we think for the rest of our lives…unless we flip the switch.

This morning, I ran to work.  I left the house at the same time, wore the same clothes, listened to the same playlist and took the same route I always take.  I thought about the week ahead and I became a bit grumpy.

I have my first (and possibly my last) triathlon on Sunday. 

I don’t know what to expect. 

I’m nervous about the bike ride.

It feels unpredictable and unknown.  Instead of being able to rely on the comfort of my every day, day in and day out thoughts, I am having to formulate thoughts in expectation of the unknown. 

This has happened to me with my kids, with business, and with countless other adventures.  When I feel the stress of the unknown with upcoming physical challenges, for whatever reason, my “tape” plays grumpy thoughts. 

I know this about myself. 

I also know that as I bring awareness to this default grumpy thinking, it’s up to me to “flip the switch”. 

Fear is what it comes down to. 

Fear of injury, fear of discomfort, fear of the unknown, fear of failing. 

In his book “Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill says “Fear, the greatest of enemies is cured by forced repeated acts of courage”. 

To some, 3.5 hours of swimming, biking and running is small potatoes and easy shmeasy.  Not for me. 

To some of you, cutting out grain or dairy or sugar, or changing any other nutritional habit brings a tremendous amount of fear (of failure, of setbacks, of un-knowing). 

For others, making a different career choice, or taking a risk with a business venture is terrifying (what will people think, what if I fail, what if I’m not ready). 

Discomfort and growth have a symbiotic relationship, it’s a package deal, you can’t have one without the other.  

It’s easier to change nothing than it is to change anything and if you choose not to change anything, chances are you’ll have the illusion of comfort, but at what cost?  It’s normal to be nervous, doubtful, fearful and apprehensive about new things. 

How we choose to let this common shared human condition affect us, however, is entirely our responsibility. 

This morning, I needed to flip the switch. 

I needed to bring awareness to my response (grumpiness) to the challenge that lays ahead. 

I know that I’m uncomfortable because discomfort comes with the territory of new challenges (it’s inescapable), but I am the captain of what I think and how I behave in the face of my upcoming forced act of courage. 

I just flipped the switch.