Not all thoughts are energetically the same. This may seem like common sense, but we do little to navigate our way from intrusive thoughts to intentional thoughts. We can make this shift with some awareness and intention!
Intrusive Thoughts are typically reactive, cyclical, destructive, shaming, or self-degrading. They set us up on a path we want to avoid.
However, Intentional Thoughts are responsive. They tend to surface after a pause, such as that experienced in mindfulness, and lead to a positive action. An action leading to more creative and helpful next thoughts. Or an action might be a next step in a project or relationship. And feel more intuitive to some people. Ready to move towards more Intentional Thinking…read on.
Intrusive Thoughts often feel like they are coming from outside. In fact, they may be negative voices surfacing from the past. Such as those that criticized, embarrassed, or set limiting beliefs about you. They are not who you are, but may feel like they are blocking you from intuitive, or intentional thinking.
Intentional Next Steps:
Next steps to take to move from intrusive to intentional thinking/living:
- First, accept the thought (it is there so trying to block it or deny it may only strengthen it).
- Understand that it is just a part of you. You have many parts with differing responsibilities. Shift your internal dialogue to ‘I am: a bad artist, embarrassed, not good enough, not smart enough…..’ to ‘A part of me feels like a bad artist,…..). But that is just one part of you. Also say, ‘And another part of me is creative, confident at listening, a good friend, capable of doing wonderful things’.
- Set a strong Intention to the outcome or goal. It is always best to get into the feeling state you are looking for. If it helps to journal about it – do that. If it helps to visualize it through a vision board – do that. If it helps to find helpful others to share you dreams with – do that. Most important, keep that feeling of what you want going.
- Keep your attention on what you want, and the parts of you that support that. Put up photos, saying, objects that remind you of your intention. They can be simple. In fact, simple is wonderful. Order our free, weekly Clues Letters to Success Clues Letter Signup.
- Get support. Find those who do want to make positive intentional changes to thinking and beyond. Not all friends or family really want what is best for you. Find those that do and invite them to move their own intrusive thoughts to intentional ones for joyful living.
Jan facilitates national workshops for therapists and life coaches. She presents at conferences on topics related to holistic psychology and living your dreams.