One of my coaching clients gave me the inspiration for this article.He was struggling with how to be consistently confident in his performance & verbal presentation.
We determined through a series of questions that the most challenging part of confident communication for him, was his mind chatter. His mind always got in the way. He was overthinking, analyzing as he spoke, attempting to stay one step ahead of the listener and always critical of himself as the silent conversation moved simultaneously through his mind as he spoke.
I suggested that he start all activities and communication with action - no thinking allowed.
We moved through a hypothetical day from the time he woke up. As soon as he was awake he was charged with the challenge of immediately puting one then two feet on the floor -no thinking allowed.
To establish a new habit he had to be extreme during his test period of 3 weeks.Throughout his day when he caught himself thinking he would immediately move to an action or a breath.
The results as he described them were "awesome". He listed more energy,(less time in his head which previously left him very mentally fatigued); increased sales (from pushing on instead of thinking about why the last one didn't happen); more relaxed communication and connection when he was speaking( he stayed present moment instead of trying to anticipate what the listener might be thinking) and increased confidence because he was getting tangible positive results.
Because of the one additional strategy, now at his disposal, he also had a new habit. In 3 weeks no thinking had become his "fall back" natural response when he was challenged in communication.
Don't believe me on this one - conduct your own experiment. I would appreciate feedback from you when you apply the no thinking DO IT strategy!!!
