Mind Your Mind: Improve Quality and Knowledge

“Our mind also needs to be feed, not just the body, if we want to live longer.”

The average mind has a minimum of 10,000 separate thoughts a day. In fact, Dr. Denis Waitley, a recognized national authority on high level performance and personal development, says we talk to ourselves at the rate of 600 to 800 words per minute.

What are we saying to ourselves on a minute-by-minute basis? Most of us do not think about what we think about.

Remember, our mental records play back dominant messages. If 90 percent of our self-talk is negative and only 10 percent positive, the mental playback is sure to be negative.

A man was pushing a cart in the supermarket containing, among other things, a hysterical baby. As the man proceeded down the aisles, he talked in a soft but firm voice: “Keep calm, George. Don’t get excited, George. Don’t yell, George.”

A lady had been watching with admiration for several minutes and finally said to him, “You certainly are to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George.”

“Lady,” the man declared, “I’m George!”

The words we use to talk to ourselves have the power of stimulating and arousing activities associated with them. Words can make active the meanings and ideas they imply.

When you or I decide to control the quality of input into our minds, we will choose words that express the positive because of the likelihood of the corresponding behavior occurring. For instance, you can decide to choose words such as: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”; or “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it”; or “God is love and because God lives in me, I am a loving person.”

Another option would be a thought such as this one by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

“I’m going to be happy today,
Though the skies are cloudy and grey.
No matter what comes my way,
I’m going to be happy today.”

By repeating words, phrases, and passages such as these mentally or out loud, the corresponding activity is being reinforced.

To get started, choose a word, phrase, or verse of Scripture that expresses the quality you want to develop. Write it on a card and place it where you will see it often. Place it on your desk at work, by the phone, on the mirror, on the dashboard of your car, etc. Even when you aren’t consciously aware of it, that note will be working into your receptive unconsciousness. The effect will be similar to the message you read on a local billboard or street sign.

Read More: http://socyberty.com/psychology/improving-the-quality-of-input/

How to Remember What You Usually Forget

An aid, but if symptoms persist consult your doctor.

• Names – When you meet someone, repeat that person’s name aloud as soon as you can. Say, “Nice to meet you, Jack.” Then look closely at him and repeat his name silently to yourself 10 times.

• Numbers – Break long numbers down into meaningful chunks. For instance, a checking account number 1048630 is easier to remember if you think of it as 10:48 (time for mid-morning snack) and 6:30 (dinner time).

• Shopping Lists – Visualize your house with a giant version of each item in various rooms; a huge egg in the kitchen, a big loaf of bread in the bedroom, etc. When shopping, mentally scan your house to recall your list.

• Household Chores and Errands – Don’t try to remember that you must mail a letter. Instead, place the letter near the door so you will see it as you leave.

• Mnemonics and Acronyms – Make up a verse or phrase to remember facts. For example, “On March 15, 1521, the Philippines was (re)discovered by Magellan.” A well known acronym is ROY G. BIV. They stand for the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).

• Visualize – A mental image is a picture you make up that includes the information you want to remember. Making up images is a very good way to learn and to recall. For instance, if you park your car in spot 4B, think of 4 bananas.

• Write it Down – In a survey of memory experts, their top technique for not forgetting was the simplest – make notes. Writing forces you to focus your attention and also provides a backup in case your memory fails. Some people recall the appearance of the note, and then they remember the items on it.