I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
The Sound of Silence
Have you ever seen the movie Stranger Than Fiction (2006) with Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson?
In it, Will Ferrell's character hears this voice in his head (Emma Thompson) narrating and commenting on his life. After a fairly mundane action, resetting his watch, the voice tells him that this one act will eventually lead to his death.
Comedy and drama ensue.
The premise of the film is predicated on the assumption that most people have an inner monologue—though for most of us it's some version of our own voice.
Who knows, maybe I wouldn't mind mine so much if it sounded more like Emma Thompson.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about because you've never had a voice in your head, wow, I'd say you're pretty lucky.
Scientists estimate 30-50% of people do not, in fact, have an inner monologue, which I was quite startled to learn.
Up until I heard that, I thought everyone 'talked' to themselves.
For some, their inner voice can be persistent, loud, annoying, intrusive, and even overwhelming at times.
For many, it's just a low grade annoyance that kicks up especially when we're upset, stressed, or feeling anxious.
In my case, night-time is the worst.
As I close my eyes to go to sleep, my inner voice gets busy ruminating on the days events, tomorrow's to-do list, what I may have forgotten to do or how I could have done things better, the groceries I need to pick up, the people I really should call or email, and on and on.
So I was really pretty amazed when I found this simple exercise shared online by UK-based mindset coach Paul Sheppard that shut that voice right down and gave me some much need peace and quiet inside my own mind.
Here's how it works:
- Get into a comfortable position. (I prefer lying down.)
- Close your eyes.
- Take a gentle, deep breath through your nose into your belly.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth, relaxing your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 one or two more times until you feel at ease.
- In your mind, say to yourself, "I wonder what my next thought will be."
- Note what happens.
Try it now, then come back and see if your results match mine.
Here's what happens for me:
Nothing!
Blankness!
For a moment, my mind repeats that statement, but then it goes blissfully dark and quiet.
Just blackness and silence.
Honestly, I can't believe it.
All week long I've been using this little trick whenever I find my mind racing and especially at night when that voice turns into quite the Chatty Kathy.
It works every time.
Blessed peace!
If you're like me and you just need that voice in your head to take a break and give you some much need downtime, try this exercise and tell me if it works for you, too.
Until next time,
PS - Need a little mindset adjustment for your business? Schedule some time with me.
PPS - In case you missed it, last week it was Lights! Camera! Action! I'm ready for my close-up.
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Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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