How Pausing Rewires Your Brain For Better Actions

Summary

The article discusses the importance of pausing and self-reflection to overcome procrastination and make better life decisions aligned with one's values.

Abstract

The article "How Pausing Rewires Your Brain For Better Actions" emphasizes the significance of understanding the origins of our actions before making decisions. It suggests that clarity on personal values is crucial for decision-making that leads to a fulfilling life. The author, Neha Sonney, argues that the inability to make certain decisions, such as joining a gym or starting a book, is often rooted in fear and the desire to maintain one's identity within the comfort zone. The article provides a step-by-step approach to combat analysis paralysis and procrastination by becoming aware of one's breath, observing thoughts, and taking deliberate action. Consistent action is said to rewire the brain for self-love and discipline, leading to personal transformation and better outcomes. Sonney also promotes her book "WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE" and offers her coaching services for those seeking further guidance.

Opinions

Procrastination is a sign of fear and the need to protect one's ego and identity within the comfort zone.
Growth requires stepping out of the comfort zone, which can be facilitated by understanding the underlying reasons for procrastination.
By becoming still and observing one's thoughts, individuals can gain clarity and disrupt the cycle of inaction.
Taking small, consistent actions can lead to significant personal transformation and help achieve goals.
Self-love is linked to the discipline of taking action and is a key component of personal growth.
The author believes in the transformative power of her coaching process and the effectiveness of the strategies outlined in her book.

Before you can decide, commit and repeat, it is important to get clarity on where your actions are stemming from.

Every day you make decisions based on your values. How are your decisions impacting your life? Is it bringing you toward the life you wanted or away from it? What are the values that help you make decisions? How conscious are your decisions? In this article I will share my thoughts and steps to help you see yourself overcoming analysis paralysis and procrastination. I discuss these points more in depth in my book WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE in Chapter 7 Building A New Identity.

Say you’ve been wanting to join a gym or write your book or start your diet or pick up public speaking training. You’ve been thinking about it for a while. Do you see that these are things you do on a regular basis? Who is stopping you from going to the gym or writing your book or starting your diet? Who is that horrible person?

Your inability to make that decision (can anyone smell procrastination here?) keeps you ego safe and your identity intact within the confines of your comfort zone. Growth requires you to step out of your comfort zone. The pull towards or motivation feels week. But it’s not that you lack willpower to push yourself through. The answer in resolving this leis in understanding your behavior — why you have been procrastinating about it. We both very well know you don’t want to do that. Here’s what may be going on inside you.

Your fears cloud your vision. You look at the world through the lens of fear. More insecurity and uncertainty manifests in your life.

You don’t feel safe. There are no guarantees. You don’t know what you don’t know. When you find yourself in that confused space in your head, become still and observe yourself and your thoughts. Become aware of your breath. This will help you slow down your speedy thoughts. Then you will be able to catch yourself in the middle of the mess as the dust settles. You have to be deliberate about the process. Then you can witness yourself and pull yourself out of the mess because you catch yourself. Makes sense?

It is hard to look at yourself when you’re in a mess, let alone embrace the mess. Breathing allows the dust to settle (witness your mess), bringing you clarity in your thoughts and vision.

What happens next is the most important thing. Here’s how you can deliberately stop this pattern and vicious cycle “No more. I want a different life, a better outcome.” Your internal dialogue goes something like this “Now that I know better, I can be, do and have better.”

Get up and start moving. Take the first step towards the task that you were procrastinating about. Stick with for the next 20–30 minutes at least. Do this everyday. Observe yourself overcoming one-tiny obstacle in your mind. Pat yourself on the back for taking deliberate action.

Rinse and repeat.

Taking action consistently will wire your brain to honor yourself through the process as well as help you accomplish your goal, one bite at a time. Self-love is the art of disciplining yourself.

I have had the pleasure to hand-hold my clients through this process when they finally find clarity. I have to say the transformation is nothing short of delightfully miraculous. If you feel inclined, please reach out on email or DM me with the burning questions Google has not been able to help you with. I’d be happy to help.

You are one decision away from a better life.

My book WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE dives deep into the other obstacles on your path such as limiting beliefs, identity issues, along with simple practical steps and exercises to overcome these obstacles. I’m very excited to announce that it‘s now available on Amazon. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story. You will have your own unique journey of self-love like the other case studies in the book. I’d love to have the opportunity to connect with you soon! Please connect with me at [email protected].

I’m an unstoppable poet, a Hong Kong based chai-drinking author, self-love advocate, and relentless courtship and relationship coach. I share my insights and wisdom from practicing meditation for over nine years as well as my lived experiences. I share my insights and wisdom on relationships from cultivating presence through mindfulness practices over nine years, spending a lot of intentional alone time doing deep spiritual healing work. My book — WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE is now available on Amazon !

Free resources and checklists for your life enhancement are available at https://nehasonney.gumroad.com

If you enjoyed or felt inspired reading this poem you can buy me a ko-fi ☕. Your support will encourage me to continue doing what I love — writing inspiring stories and spontaneous poems.