Noticing opens the door to something fresh.

This is a 'no really' message for the new year.

We often talk about the power of a settled mind. How a settled and clear mind is the best source of your performance. How when your mind is relaxed you have access to all your wisdom, intelligence and insight. And that this is your default state, if you leave your mind alone it will naturally return to this relaxed place.

Most people logically get it. They know that they get their best ideas when they stop thinking harder about the problem, that they realise how to deal with a situation when they're out with the dog, or that they remember where their keys are when they stop panicking about finding them.

But it's not always evident that this is a natural state.

So, here's the no really part. The greatest lever we have when it comes to our minds is that we can notice what's going on in them. Even when they are whirring away, and we are already on the thought train to noisyville, we can become aware of what's going on in our minds. And in that moment there is a choice. That choice is to stay on the train, and keep pointing your mind at the busy thoughts. Or to redirect your mind back to its natural state. And in doing so the noise will begin to subside. It may not be immediate, it may not be obvious, it may take a while.

Noticing opens the door to something fresh.