We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds,
but we can take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world.
Gabor Mate
Background
From the moment we are born, our experiences begin to shape the neural connections in our brains.
This doesn't happen randomly but is influenced by a genetic blueprint for the structure and function of our brains.
Evolutionary speaking our brains have evolved to survive in an environment that was much more hostile and life-threatening than the world we live in today, which led to something that psychologists and neuroscientists call the negativity bias: For our ancestors it was more important to pay attention to potential threats and dangers than to positive experiences, as the former could have life-or-death consequences. This bias may have helped our ancestors to survive and pass on their genes to future generations.
In short, we are wired to survive, not to thrive.
But our modern environment differs significantly from the environment in which our brains evolved. Our brains evolved over millions of years in response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the natural world, whereas our current environment is largely shaped by human culture and technology.
The pace of modern life and the amount of information we are exposed to has increased dramatically in recent years.
A study by the University of Southern California found that the amount of information available to us doubles every 18 months.
This increase in information and pace of life can lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress, as our brains struggle to keep up with the constant flow of stimuli.
Furthermore, in today's attention economy, we are constantly bombarded with messages from advertisers, social media, and other sources vying for our attention. As a result, it is more important than ever to train our minds to resist becoming unconscious pawns of marketing organizations, of endless distractions and self-sabotage and to take responsibility for our mental fitness.
Mental fitness refers to the ability to manage our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in ways that promote well-being and optimal functioning. It involves developing skills and strategies that help us stay focused, resilient, and adaptable in the face of life's challenges.
Without mental fitness, we can become stuck in negative emotions and self-talk that severely limit our lives, work, performance, relationships, and overall well-being. We may feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or depression, which can interfere with our ability to function effectively in our personal and professional lives.
Fortunately, mental fitness is something that can be developed and improved with practice. By taking responsibility for our own minds, we can learn to manage our thoughts and emotions more effectively, reduce the impact of stress, and cultivate greater resilience, focus, and positivity.
Components of Mental Fitness
MINDFULNESS: One key aspect of mental fitness is mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, we can become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and learn to manage them more effectively, reducing the impact of stress on our mental and physical well-being.
POSITIVE SELF-TALK: Another aspect of mental fitness is positive self-talk to counteract negative, self-sabotaging or stressful thoughts. By focusing on positive self-talk, we can shift our mindset and reduce the impact of stress on our mental and emotional health.
PREVENT SELF-SABOTAGE: By getting to know our personal self-sabotage patterns in detail, mental fitness enables us to deal with these patterns productively. We actively train our brain activity to shift from self-sabotage to more wisdom.
PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: In addition, mental fitness involves developing problem-solving skills, which can reduce the impact of stress by giving us tools to address the root causes of our stressors. By learning to identify and address the underlying issues that are causing stress in our lives, we can take proactive steps to manage our mental health and well-being.
Conclusion
Ultimately, mental fitness is about taking responsibility for our own minds and creating the world we want to live in. By developing mental fitness skills and techniques, we can become better equipped to manage stress, improve our relationships, and achieve our personal and professional goals.
So take a moment to consider:
Most attempts at positive change fail because we stop at insight and do not build habits. Sustainable change towards a more positive mindset requires creating neural pathways to form new habits through consistent daily practice. That's why we offer an app-based, neuroscience-based Mental Fitness Coaching Program (Positive Intelligence®) for individuals and teams.
Want to learn more? Book a non-binding consultation call.
Legal Notice & Disclaimers©️ 2023 Positive Intelligence, LLCThe coach identified herein is an independent member of the PQ Coach program, and not an employee, agent, or representative of Positive Intelligence, LLC. The coaching program offered herein is independently owned and operated by the coach, and is not affiliated with or endorsed or sponsored by Positive Intelligence, LLC.