Here’s a little mental exercise you can play whenever you need to:

Imagine the following situation: You’re in a leadership role at work. You have to make a bold decision and you know it will affect your team, your business, but also your chances of getting another promotion (and let’s not forget the bonus…).

You try to weigh up the pros and cons, but find it difficult as your thoughts seem to take on a life of their own.

Soon your mind is filled with doubts and fears. “What if, should I, maybe it would be better, how, maybe I don’t have all the facts…”.

Does this sound familiar?

But how much do you believe these thoughts? How much do you buy into the doubts or concerns that seem to pop up in your mind?

Challenge your thinking

There is a fairly simple way to challenge what you believe to be your own thoughts. A way out of overthinking. A way of regaining confidence and clarity.

In moments when your thoughts seem to have a life of their own, ask yourself:

“Am I consciously thinking these thoughts?”

If you are reading this, you may be inclined to say yes. And if that’s the answer, challenge yourself even further:

“What next thought am I going to think?”

and see what comes up.

Then sit with it for a moment. Watch yourself in this situation. Laugh, or let your mind wonder, maybe even come back to that very question and try to answer it again.

What comes up? And why do you think that is?

How might this experience help shape the way you do your work and the impact you want to have?

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