Learn to train your mind

We can all learn to train our mind. The random thoughts in our heads come and go. Some call it our monkey brain because it jumps around and can’t seem to sit still.

This often creates a sense of helplessness when it comes to our thoughts. We can’t control what fleeting concepts come into focus.

But that isn’t true. We can learn to control the thoughts flowing through our brains. This allows us to better examine the recurring thoughts and behaviors in our life to improve.

In Habit Swap by Hugh G. Byrne, PhD, the author states, “An untrained mind will gravitate toward unconscious and unexamined habits, as well as towards behaviors that cause ourselves and others harm.”

This is logical. If we allow the thoughts to come and go, unchecked, they will direct our life through habit. The habits will determine what we do and how we respond to life.

If we want to improve, we need to better understand those recurring thoughts and actions and redirect them to align with our goals and desires.

Byrne goes on to say, “With a trained mind, we strengthen our capacity to choose words, actions and thoughts that support well-being and happiness for ourselves and others.”

In other words, by gaining control of the way we think about our life, we gain the ability to direct our life towards improvement and contentment.

This is much easier said than done. Sure, on its surface it sounds easy to simply train your mind. But the reality is that training our mind takes time, focus, and habit-building.

If we can develop the mental discipline to create new recurring behaviors, those become habitual. We start to do them even when we don’t think about doing them.

The same is true with our thinking. If we can develop habitual ways of thinking that lead us towards betterment and happiness, those habits will take over and begin to forge new ways to go through life.

This could be through meditation. It could be through exercise. It could be by reading inspiration books. It could be through gratitude. Whatever the path, we can start to develop the mindset to succeed and remain happy.

We can learn to gain control of our thoughts. We can train our mind. We can build strength and design habit structures to make sure that these fleeting thoughts help us instead of stunt our improvement.

It might take focus at first but over time, the habit will develop and take over. It will become automatic. We won’t have to be consciously aware. We follow the path we built and traverse many times because it just feels natural.

When you know what you want from life, and can develop the right mental and behavioral patterns, you will naturally develop the systems and habits to take you where you want to go. This will lead to improvement and a growing sense of contentment.

You will gain control of your life and direct your life in a new way. This will become the path forward and continue to be solidified every time you redo the habit. Over time it will take over and give you the control to do what you want to do in life.