If the thought isn’t true, then discard it. If it does seem true, then it’s passed the first hurdle – but there are still two more.
Second, you need to ask whether the things your soundtrack is telling you are actually helpful. What effect will the thought have on your life if you allow it to circulate freely in your mind? Does it encourage you or discourage you?
If you’re trying to lose weight and you keep thinking about the previous four diets you’ve failed, then all you’re doing is weakening your resolve and discouraging yourself.
The final question is whether the thought is kind. Does it sound like something you’d say to someone you care about? Or is it downright nasty? If it’s the latter, then the solution is clear – remove it from your mental soundtrack.
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If the thought isn’t true, then discard it. If it does seem true, then it’s passed the first hurdle – but there are still two more.
Second, you need to ask whether the things your soundtrack is telling you are actually helpful. What effect will the thought have on your life if you allow it to circulate freely in your mind? Does it encourage you or discourage you?
If you’re trying to lose weight and you keep thinking about the previous four diets you’ve failed, then all you’re doing is weakening your resolve and discouraging yourself.
The final question is whether the thought is kind. Does it sound like something you’d say to someone you care about? Or is it downright nasty? If it’s the latter, then the solution is clear – remove it from your mental soundtrack.
Here’s the key message: Ask if your current soundtrack is true, helpful, and kind.
Roger ebert podcast
2 minutes 38 seconds
4 years ago
Here’s the key message: Ask if your current soundtrack is true, helpful, and kind.
When you were a kid, you probably heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Back then it could be a comforting line – especially if you were dealing with bullying and cruel schoolyard taunts.
But, as we all eventually find out, words can hurt – quite a lot, in fact. That’s true no matter where the harsh words come from. They could be uttered by school bullies or by the equally cruel voice we use to criticize ourselves. The pain is the same.
In short, words count – which is why you need to interrogate how your old soundtrack is talking to you.
Here’s the key message: Ask if your current soundtrack is true, helpful, and kind.
If you want to rid yourself of overthinking, then you’ve got to start by interrogating your soundtrack. Every time you have a thought that brings you down, lowers your self-esteem, or makes you fearful and hesitant, there are three key questions to ask yourself.
Question number one is whether the thought in question is true or not. If you’re nervous about asking for a pay raise because you think your boss will fly into a rage and fire you, stop for a second and interrogate that thought. Is that really a likely scenario? Has your boss done anything like that in the past? Or are you just imagining unlikely catastrophes, and convincing yourself they’re probable?
Roger ebert podcast
If the thought isn’t true, then discard it. If it does seem true, then it’s passed the first hurdle – but there are still two more.
Second, you need to ask whether the things your soundtrack is telling you are actually helpful. What effect will the thought have on your life if you allow it to circulate freely in your mind? Does it encourage you or discourage you?
If you’re trying to lose weight and you keep thinking about the previous four diets you’ve failed, then all you’re doing is weakening your resolve and discouraging yourself.
The final question is whether the thought is kind. Does it sound like something you’d say to someone you care about? Or is it downright nasty? If it’s the latter, then the solution is clear – remove it from your mental soundtrack.
