Are You a Victim of the "Wind-Up Toy Syndrome?" How to Free Yourself

Did you know that you have approximately 60,00 different thoughts during the day? We are not aware of most of them because of all the mental noise they create, because they most often come from the unconscious, and because they are generated by unconscious beliefs that we experience as the ways things are.

Were talking about a lot of mental clutter. As long as it remains outside of our awareness, it is running us. We are motivated by fear, things seem out of control and we find ourselves believing that we have no choice. We get caught up in busyness, overworking and the windup toy syndrome.

Remember the wind-up toys you had as a kid? You simply wind one up, set it down on some flat surface and turn it loose. It runs all over the place, bumping into things, bouncing off the walls and gradually slowing down until it runs out of juice. Does that sound like how you feel sometimes? Wound up, bumping into people, deadlines, backlogs, etc. until your juice is gone?

It all goes back to the mental clutter in 60,000 thoughts. Its not all clutter its just hard to get to the good stuff. Much like a closet thats stuffed with 20 years worth of clothes in 4 different sizes - many things dont fit, some are out of style, and other things are worn, frayed, or in disrepair. There are also fine and beautiful items in there that fit you perfectly, but theyve gotten lost in the clutter.

Ive been there in my own version of both the mental and other closets. The wind-up toy syndrome? I created it many years ago in a moment of awareness because it perfectly described how I often felt.

The good news is there is a way out!

THE WAY OUT

Its through AWARENESS, SPACE & CHOICE.

FIRST: AWARENESS AND SPACE:

One day you simply head to your closet to find something to wear to an evening event. You feel anxious on the way, not knowing what youll wear. Maybe it would have been easier to buy something instead.

You open the door and notice that it is bulging with clothes, not to mention nameless other items. You dont know a quarter of whats in there and putting together an outfit seems impossible.

Then its like someone turned on the light in a dark room. You wake up and really see whats in front of you for the first time in a very long time. You see the clutter for what it is. That youve been in this place many times before. Its a beautiful moment. You are awake! You take a breath! You are aware

Your moment of awareness has created space between you and the clutter. Its not running you for that moment. In this space you remember what you did the last time you went to the closet and couldnt find anything to wear. You panicked, trying on this thing and that But now there is space - precious space. Now you can do something different.

OR

You sit down at your computer to write your monthly ezine. Suddenly you remember the phone call you wanted to make, that there are emails that need to be answeredYou faintly remember how unfocused you were when you sat down to begin this months article yesterday.

My desk is a mess. How can I concentrate with all these files and papers everywhere? I dont know what to write about. The mind noise and clutter take over.

Then you become aware that your mind and heart are racing. You hear, I cant do this. I cant handle it. You are aware that you have just been reacting to fear and a limiting belief - I cant handle it. Youve felt and reacted this way so many times before. But now, you are awake! You take a deep breath! Things slow down. AWARENESS! Youve created space. Now you can do something different.

In the moment you become aware of the bulging closet, your racing mind and heart, the fear and limiting belief, you have created space between you and the mind- clutter. And you can make a different choice.

THEN: SPACE AND CHOICE

In this space lies a golden opportunity - to make a different choice. To take another breath. To notice the habit pattern that was at work here - what you usually do in similar circumstances.

By the mere act of noticing, the automatic behavior is not a done deal you have space. In this space lie options. A perfect question to ask yourself is, What can I do instead that I will feel really good about at the end of the day?

In the case of the newsletter you might decide that writing it is the most important task to do that day. This calls for other choices like turning off the phone and saving emails until later in the day so you can focus. You might ask yourself what you really want to tell your readers, make a few notes and begin writing. Whenever you make a conscious choice, you are back in control again.

IN CLOSING

Space is necessary in every aspect of our lives. Space between thoughts, between tasks, between clients, space on our desks, in our closets Space frees us from the wind-up toy syndrome. Space is where much of the magic of life happens. Its where wisdom, connection and pleasure lie. Just like the space between notes creates the beauty of music, the space in our lives allows the splendor of life to emerge.

Step into your greatness! Its the most natural thing youll ever do.

PS Making space is a step into your greatness!

Know a friend, client or colleague who might like to read this? You can pass this ezine along to them by simply clicking on the forward link at the end of this document.

To book Reggie as a speaker for your organization, meeting or conference, call 617-524-6153.

Reggie Odom LICSW, CPCC, PCC, founder of Inspired Works, is known as the Passion and Authenticity Coach. She is a lecturer at the Simmons College School of Social Work and faculty member of the National Institute of Whole Health. Reggie is considered a master teacher and unforgettable speaker. She inspires and empowers professionals and solopreneurs to create a passionate, authentic life and business! She can be contacted at (617)524-6153, reggie@reggieodom.com , or you can visit her web site at http://www.reggieodom.com

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