When you brainstorm you are using a very effective tool for loosening up your energy. And when you’re stuck and brainstorm, you also access creative, and sometimes unexpected, ideas.
Today we’ll explore ways that brainstorming can also be a vehicle for turning negative thinking on its head.
When you brainstorm this way, you fundamentally and powerfully transform your energy and your time.
Sound interesting?
Well, here’s how it works…
Let’s say you’re having one of the most frustrating days ever. Nothing is going right, next-to-nothing is getting done, and you’re getting more and more irritated.
You are digging a deep hole for yourself. And all the while the pressure builds. You hear the clock ticking in the background as overwhelm grows.
If you’ve had days like this, here’s what you need to do:
- Call “Time out.”
- Stop the rising panic and anger.
- Find a way to let those frustrations out, and
- Turn them around so you can get back on track and get productive.
Brainstorm and Let Go
So pause and take a deep breath. Pick up a pen and paper, and sit down.
Already, can you feel a small shift? Just stopping like this means you’re taking care of yourself. You’ve noticed what is happening and have stepped in to take charge of yourself and your time.
That alone really helps.
Here’s an exercise to try…
Now, draw a line down the middle of your page.
On the left-hand side write every single thing that is frustrating you right now.
Don’t censor yourself. Write fast and let anything that comes to mind move through your hand to the paper. Maybe you’ll be surprised at some of the things that come out. Don’t worry, that’s actually great.
As you brainstorm and engage with this simple act, you let go of the things that are in your way. That’s because putting them on paper gets them outside of your head.
Now you can begin to see them for what they are.
Brainstorm to Transform
Next you engage in a different kind of brainstorming.
Scan what you’ve written in the left-hand column. And, as they come to you, write statements in the right-hand column that balance or counter what’s on the left.
These might be affirmations. Or they might be facts that help you see the exaggeration or error of one of the negative statements.
For example, let’s say you wrote “My office is a disaster.” on the left.
On the right, you’ll write something like: “It will be helpful to get things organized and I’ve scheduled a time to do that on Saturday. For now, it doesn’t need to get in my way.”
Or maybe you wrote: “I can’t write another blog post; I don’t have any ideas.”
To counter this, say something like: “I am feeling overwhelmed right now but I will step away from that. I have lots of ideas collected in Evernote and I am going to pick one, pour a cup of tea, and get started in half an hour.”
The power of this two-step process is pretty amazing, actually. It takes very little time. And both parts, getting the negative out and then transforming it to a positive, energize you and transform your time.
This helps, too…
We all have voices that chatter at us throughout the day. The Inner Critic is one of them. Learning to recognize (and counter) this destructive voice is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
You see, the Inner Critic is a negative, debilitating and constant presence in your life. And it’s not just the words. It’s the judgmental tone, the rolling eyes, and the scolding wag of the index finger. Beyond sapping your energy and confidence, your Inner Critic robs you of time and profoundly distorts how you see others and how you feel about yourself. So, what can you do?
Give yourself a big boost with my Exercise and Guide Book titled “These Critical Voices Are Driving Me Crazy!” How to Use Positive Self-Talk to Save Your Sanity and Your Time! Part of my popular Voices Package, this E-Guide offers simple, practical exercises, checklists and tips for learning to recognize and counter the critical voices that disrupt and hurt you.
“This guidebook is by a secret genius as
far as I’m concerned.
Her name is
Paula Eder and she is absolutely brilliant
when it
comes to how to be in relationship with self and
how to be
in relationship with time.”
Heather Dominick http://BusinessMiracles.com/
You hold the power to make conscious choices about the kinds of messages you give yourself. As you exercise this power, you’ll develop new clarity and confidence – and transform your time.
“These Critical Voices Are Driving Me Crazy!” opens the door and gives you a roadmap, so don’t wait. Click this link to learn more about the Voices Package and get started on your empowering journey today.
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