Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winning economist, made this brilliant observation about our human condition and mindset. We fret and focus on matters that at the time seem immensely important or urgent, but likely are just the day-to-day events of a normal life. Yes, there are important matters that confront us and warrant our undivided attention, but they are fortunately few in number. Health, career, relationships, financial issues, the weather, deadlines and emotional issues crop up in our mind all the time, and we awfulize and replay them until they seem to become all that matters.
Our mind is a poor judge of putting things in perspective and ranking their importance. With thousands of moments and thoughts each day, our mind is ripe for debating trivial matters just to fill its day.
So what can you do to manage your wild mind? Start by laughing at most of these impulses as if they were scenes in a TV sit-com. After all, aren’t they just absurd exaggerations of the present moment? Are your worries statistically possible or probable? Question the underlying beliefs and hypothesis that these thoughts are based on. How much of the underlying concern is just conjecture, or based on incomplete information? Do you have a natural tendency to imagine the worst case scenario, not the best?
Observe that many of these “important” matters are actually rather mundane matters that just need to be attended to, so just note them down and do them. Test these issues that are overwhelming you by imagining the worst case outcome and honestly consider just how awful that eventuality would really be. How much of a resilience test would that scenario be? If resolution is beyond your control then accept that there is nothing you can do and move on. Objectively challenge your subjective judgements and thoughts.
If this thought that you are dwelling on is really important, sequentially plan how to address it. Re-visit the matter after writing it down and then not thinking about it for a while, and consider sharing your concern with someone else who may bring a different perspective to the table.
Once you have made all the plans that you can, most importantly, let go of these thoughts – worrying will not change anything. Remember, nothing in life is quite as important as you think it is, while you’re thinking about it.
Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org
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