By: Trina Johnson
You may not be aware of it, but your mind is filled with C.R.A.P.—Conflicts, Resistances, Anxieties and Procrastinations. And each one of them slows you down and keeps you from performing at your best.
Here’s a great mind hack to clear the C.R.A.P. and improve your efficiency at every task you take on. Create a C.R.A.P. board.
Creating a C.R.A.P. board is easy. Find a large piece of paper or piece of poster board. Write these four statements on the board:
1) I feel conflicted about what to do about ______________;
2) I am resisting doing ____________________________;
3) I feel anxious when I think about __________________;
4) I am procrastinating doing _______________________.
Take a couple deep breaths and read the first statement several times then close your eyes and sit quietly. Write down anything that comes to mind. Do not edit yourself. Just write it down. Repeat for the other three statements.
Set your list aside for 24 hours. Then go back and review. Ask yourself if what you wrote down is true or false. You’ll find that a lot of what you wrote is false. It’s just an impression you are giving yourself. Cross those off your list. Now look at the statements you wrote that you feel are true. Come up with a plan to deal with each one. The plan does not have to be complete or complex. In fact, sometimes your plan may be as simple as: “I’ll deal with that when I get a chance.” Just make sure you read each of your true statements and acknowledge to yourself that you will address it in some way.
Keep your C.R.A.P. board where you can see it every day. At least once a day, review your list and your plans to address each issue. As you resolve your issues, cross them off.
You see, your mind believes what you tell it. If you write down your C.R.A.P., your mind believes you are going to deal with it. If you come up with a plan and remind yourself of your plan, your mind will allow your problem-solving skills to flow. Your mind will quit obsessing over that issue because it knows that you are aware of the problem and will take steps to fix it.
Do this exercise one time a month. In time, you’ll have very little to put on your C.R.A.P. board. You’ll start to feel more energized and your productivity will increase naturally.
Katryna Johnson, J.D., aka Trina, owns Mirelli Entrepreneur Training for Women. Her passion for helping women came from seeing her law clients broken and demoralized after divorce. She helps women build confidence, take responsibility, and launch businesses. She wholeheartedly believes women who help other women succeed will change the world. Find out more at http://Mirellietc.com