Now, you’re a clever bunch (something you’ve demonstrated by being subscribed to the Daily Reminders 😉) … and this sometimes gets you into trouble.
Because you like your thinking and you’re proud of your intellects and so you should be!
I do my very best not to denigrate thinking too much, but of course when I’m writing things like “blah blah blah,” and “it’s all made up,” and “just ignore it!” it’s easy—very easy indeed—for the mind to take that and run with it and to get the impression that what I’m saying is:
This is what happened with a client, a while ago. A veritable boffin, with a beautiful analytical mind, cultivated over a career.
And they were used to using this beautiful analytical mind of theirs to solve all sorts of problems, strategise brilliantly and bring a richness of experience and knowledge to all they did.
This is awesome and I love it. You won’t catch me knocking any of that.
BUT…
That beautiful analytical mind had taken over. It wouldn’t stop. (Especially in the evenings.) There was an inability to switch off, as it also tried to solve the ‘problems’ of relaxation, strategise complex inter-personal dynamics and figure out how to get to sleep.
It was exhausting them.
So we began the work of unlearning, as we always do. Looking towards what’s before thought. Exploring what powered the analytical mind and furnished it with insight and creativity in the first place.
🤔
And the mind didn’t like it. Oh no. What it heard was:
…and it just couldn’t get past that. It kind of brought the shutters down a bit – everything was seen through that one perception; that one belief.
Very natural, very common. To be expected, even!
So what’s to be done?
Well, for me, it’s a case of keeping plugging on, safe in the knowledge that I’ve got principles on my side, trying all sorts of different angles and metaphors and stories to break the impasse.
And for those I’m working with, it’s a case of staying the course, keeping exploring, and remaining open-minded. (The three necessary ingredients for change!)
To my client’s credit, all of these were done, and the inevitable breakthrough came, with much relief, as I received a message that said:
“Today was a sudden realisation that not all brain thinking is bad!!! I've been conflating all brain workings into a single lump, all marked 'not helpful'. And that was feeling terrible!”
An insight. Something seen. A shift in perspective that pulled the shutters all the way up and let the light in.
🌞
Everything changed for them, from that point forwards. Work-life balance was restored. Sleep returned.
Nothing was lost, but everything was gained.
So I’ll say it again, for everyone to hear:
The intellect and memory and analysis are truly wonderful things.
BUT…
Use them only when required; when they’re the right tool for the job. They’re just one teeny tiny part of your experience and there’s so much more.
💟
Giles
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