After coming home from a long day at work, your mind tends to be overloaded. Tasks at work, chores at home, and goals you've been neglecting are fighting for your attention. Clearing them out would give you the resources you need to refocus your goals and accomplish the tasks that are most important.
But how?
I have had success with a few tactics that help me clear my mind when things get a little crazy.
1) Low Level Tasks
Low level tasks like washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, or tidying the house can you give you a break from the higher level thought demands of daily life.
Take time to do those chores you don't enjoy, but let your mind drift while doing them. Envision yourself fulfilling your goals or performing the steps you'll take towards your goals once you finish your chores.
I hated washing dishes when I was younger. I recently started washing dishes by hand and I've found that it is a much needed break from the more complicated aspects of life.
The lack of pressure helps you think clearer. You create a low pressure environment to sort your thoughts and emotions and prioritize the rest of your obligations/desires/needs.
2) Exercise
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and to clear your mind for a time. I like to focus on performing exercises that require little thought.
For me, I have been weightlifting for years, so it tends to be my stress-relieving, mind-clearing workout of choice. If you lack experience in the gym or with exercise, there is an easy way to get started.
The simplest step you can take towards improving your fitness is to begin daily walking. Start by walking for a set time. This time can be different for everyone. If you are really out of shape, maybe start with 30 minutes at a slow pace. As your walks become easier, then begin to increase the length, the pace, or both.
This is progressive overload. As your body adapts, you need to challenge it by increasing the demand. This concept can be used successfully in all aspects of personal development and growth. View this as an opportunity to improve your fitness, provide a time to clear your mind, and practice your skills for growth.
3) Learn Something New
Clearing your mind can involve loading it with new information and experiences. Some of the best examples for mind-clearing, learning activities are reading a book on a topic you've been interested in, cooking a new recipe, learning a new exercise, finding a new way home, etc.
Private study is a very free experience. You're able to do it however you like. You can focus on the key points that interest you the most, and you can ignore topics you think are a waste.
The difference between guided study and private study was overwhelming to me when I started. Learning the things that I cared about most, while saving time on the topics I viewed as unimportant was a much more fulfilling experience. I find it tends to intensify my hunger for knowledge versus the stifling nature of structured teaching.
What you study is only limited by your imagination and desire. Learning something new will require focus on the new information/technique, and allow all other attention-demanding thoughts to move to the back of your mind.
Not only will you be picking up a new skill, but you will be freeing your mind of the stresses of the day. That's known as a win/win situation.
Evaluate and Prioritize
The idea behind clearing your mind is not to abandon obligations. Clearing your mind will require you to evaluate if any demanding thoughts actually are important and need your attention.
If that's the case, then don't go and skip them or attempt to clear them from your mind. Address them, conquer them, and then go about freeing yourself from the weights of the day/month/year.
What Do You Do?
Do you have any strategist that you’ve personally had success with? Do you think any of my strategies above are bogus? Please leave a comment below. I’d love to discuss it with you.
Derek is extremely passionate about personal development and helping others achieve success. Subscribe for more on uncovering your personal passion, living a life worth living, physical and mental conditioning and more at his Personal Development blog.The post 3 Simple Strategies for Clearing Your Mind appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.