Most people have some type of mind chatter. The little, and mostly critical, voice in our head that gets more intense as we get stressed and anxious. It’s forever telling us what to do or not to do, like a very unwelcome friend who thinks they know it all, and one we could well do without!
Bizarrely, our mind chatter is the unconscious part of us trying to look after and protect the person. It is running old and distorted programmes in an attempt to keep us okay and safe.
For example, when a child is constantly told by those close or influential that he/she is ‘stupid and never achieve’ the mind will believe the statement to be true. That belief becomes an underlying feeling of “I’m stupid” which gets played out in their life. Therefore, anything that is likely to make the mind think the person could look stupid, ramps up its chatter to stop them engaging – It creates a psychological resistance.
“When we fight the chatter it fights back with its ace card - unpleasant emotions!”
We tend to fight this and as we do it fights back, getting progressively stronger throwing in its ace card, unpleasant emotions! When we stop fighting it eases off, the programme believes it has kept us safe. So, the key is to not fight it.
So this is what you do. When you get the chatter, you acknowledge it in your head, or out loud with the phrase, “thank you, I hear you”. Keep saying it until things calm and every time the chatter kicks off constantly repeat the phrase. There will come a time when its just about to start, you think of the phrase and the chatter doesn’t begin. The key to this technique, like all others, is persistence! As you constantly acknowledge the mind’s programme it begins to release its grip on making you safe and being in control. The programme is getting transformed. You can also add to the phrase, “thank you I hear you and I let you go” as you notice the chatter easing.
The more entrenched the programme the longer it may take to shift the chatter. Give it a go! Don’t ‘try’ as the ‘trying’ approach gives you permission to give up and not really persist.
Once you’ve mastered it, teach it to others, pass it on!
Roy Martin MBE has been helping people transform themselves for over twenty years, guiding and mentoring them to develop lives and businesses that have meaning and purpose.
Roy teaches life with an understanding of the 'More of Life' that transcends the minds ego needs. He helps people connect with their passions and talents, to do the things they love and to follow their calling in life, to be themselves! Most find that what they really want to do touches the lives of others and makes a difference. It opens them to their inner leader.
He runs events, mentorship programmes, and gives talks inspiring people to live the ‘More of life’ that is filled with meaning, purpose and success. He also works with organisations helping them develop their teams and leaders.