If you were a child of the 70s or 80s, you may remember the TV show Battlestar Galactica, a space odyssey on a lonely quest for a shinning planet known as earth.’ To be honest, I didn’t care much for the Starship, the Galaxies, Universe, or battles that took place to save the world. 
I certainly wasn’t contemplating the idea of enhanced thinking. For me, it was all about one of the lead characters, Starbuck. At the age of ten, I was madly in love with him.
Given that my aim was to write an article wrapping up the year, I have absolutely no idea where this line of thinking came from?
Initially, I was trying to figure out which of my current thoughts concerning 2022 would win the battle for centre stage. My mind became the galaxy, the brain the battleship and just like that, Battlestar Galactica with Starbuck at the helm popped into my mind. Rather random, I know.
However, here’s a fun fact.
‘Each and every day, you have around 6000-8000 thoughts whizzing through our head.’
Sadly, unlike my childhood thoughts about Starbuck, most thoughts are negative.
The reason for this is that the brain’s primary function is not about enhanced thinking but rather to keep you safe and as such is always on the lookout for danger. It unconsciously sniffs it out attempting to predict the future. It does a fairly good job of focusing on what you haven’t done, haven’t achieved and where you have failed. It seeks to protect you from anything that may align itself with a familiar trauma.
I may sound like the Christmas Grinch. I’m not. What I am is a massive advocate of Neuroscience and Positive Psychology and current evidence proves that you can change the direction of your thoughts. You can shift from a default negative to a more optimistic view which directly impacts the quality of your life. I wonder how many are aware of this?
Modern research has proven that the brain is able to rewire the neural pathways that regulate your emotions, thoughts, and reactions.
Mindset and confidence are key.
The belief you have about yourself is what guides and permeates nearly every part of your life. It can either limit potential or determine success. Those who believe they can overcome obstacles are those who succeed. Although some have a predisposition to being confident, nobody can underestimate the extent to which we have been adversely affected by the pandemic and I wonder how many of us will slide into the new year with this as our predominant thought.
Personally, I’m not one for New Year Resolutions, a concept that notoriously sets me up for failure. The word ‘growth’ aligns more with sustainable change and one way to achieve this is to be cognisant of the process of enhanced thinking.
As you approach the end of 2021, I’d like to ask you where your brain is at? What story are you telling yourself? And how does it affect your focus for 2022?
Simple steps to achieve enhanced thinking.
Seek Clarity
What is it that you really want? Who is the person you really want to be? What strengths would you like to work on? Are there areas in your life you’d like to improve? What’s the positive side of your negative? How do you rate the quality of your thinking?
Even if you are not sure, write the questions down. This may bring you closer to clarity and the kind of mindset that leads to growth. When you have clarity, your mind isn’t clouded with indecision, what-ifs, overwhelm or worry. When you have clarity it’s easier to focus on where you are headed rather than being distracted by a negative thought pattern.
Identify obstacles
What’s preventing you from stepping into your brave? What are the stories you are telling yourself and are they are on autorepeat? What actions are required to navigate the obstacles and how committed are you to taking these steps? What would 2020 look like if you didn’t take these steps? Would you be satisfied with inaction?
Obstacles are an inevitable part of growth. Thanks to neuroscience, we know that our brains are like plastic with the ability remould. An obstacle does not mean that progress is lost. Knowing what we know about thoughts and the brain, a simple way to overcome an obstacle is to send it the right message.
Visualise
I am a big believer in visualisation. Taking the time to imagine reaching a goal, completing a task, overcoming an obstacle, or changing the quality of your thoughts hoodwinks the brain which isn’t able to tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. Imagining begins the process of creating new pathways. This is the reason athletes and musicians imagine the process of winning or performing. The energy and feeling of success drives them forward. Are you able to visualise exactly what you want? What does that feel like? Are you able to bring that feeling closer and use it as an inspiration for your current growth and development? Latch onto that feeling and chase it.
This is about stepping out of your comfort zone and into your brave. Success does not build confidence. It’s the other way around. If you want to succeed in the area of enhanced thinking, believe you can.
Now’s the time to take action in order to move into 2022 on your terms, being in the right head space and having the kind of thoughts that are going to serve you well.
Action Steps for Enhanced Thinking.
My first step is…
When I have done this, I will feel…?
What might prevent me…?
How am going to stay on track…?
How can I be accountable…?
When I have achieved this, how will I feel?
