The last week has been busy, alot of moving parts but more importantly a lot of overthinking, overprocessing and overanalysing. Thankfully, more often than not, I'm able to pull myself out of those loops by adopting tools and resources that I have learnt or read about. My key one this week, is focus on the facts.
I tend to find that the world moves very fast, there is simply not enough time to do it all or even come close to getting it all done. One of the things I know for sure is my appreciation and joy for being busy. I like to say, 'busy is how I like my life'. Of course in measured moderation nowadays, especially, in the world and land of Shonda. *screams*
I'm a sucker for self help books especially focused on and founded on science and psychology. Explanations for who we are, and why we act the way we do. The Myers Briggs Types Indicator is one of my favorite resources. (p.s. I was today years old when I learnt that they are two different people and are actually a mother - daughter duo.)
"The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people's lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment."
Based on my personality type, I focus on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts and make decisions based on feelings and values. I feel very deeply and while that's great for family and loved ones, it's problematic in equal measure for negative feelings. Fear, doubt, worry, anxiety.
I had heard about horse blinders some time back and I looked it up this week. Turns out, "Horses wear blinders to reduce their field of vision and stay focused on their tasks. When pulling loads or racing, horses are easily distracted. Horses that pull wagons in cities need blinders to keep their attention focused straight ahead and block out the distractions around them."
"Horses pulling without blinders stress themselves out, trying to ignore the signals from their nervous system that an object is in their predator threat zone. Blinders allow horses to ignore those instincts and relax."
I made a call this week to focus on the facts. The seemingly 'small' facts that you know to be true. Also known as gratitude. Life. Health. Family. Friendship. Sustenance. Provision. Work. Security. Tea. Queen Shonda. You catch the drift.
So I urge you to do the same. Whenever you're in a sense of stress, fear, despair, uncertainty, worry, anxiety, focus on the facts that you know to be true.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory and 16 personalities test. Here's the test.
Keep your head down ad focus. - Fortune
You may read more about why horses wear blinders here