Mindshifting is recognizing and shifting from the mindsets that hold us back to the mindsets that push us forward. I write about mindsets, Mindshifting, learning, and education, with the hope that these posts give readers more power over their own lives and helps them give others, like their students, more power as well.
The Three-Part Self-Commander for Resilience and Resourcefulness
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In the previous newsletter, we talked about unlocking one’s potential by shifting from limbic to sage brain. How does one do that? At the heart of this approach is the concept of the "self-commander" – a three-part process for intercepting our brain's default reactions and intentionally shifting our mindset to a more resourceful state. The first step in this transformative journey is self-awareness. By becoming attuned to the workings of our own minds, we can recognize when our limbic system, or "lizard brain," is in control, triggering fight-or-flight responses, habitual behaviors, and knee-jerk reactions. This self-awareness is the key to intercepting these automatic impulses and creating the opportunity for a more conscious, resourceful response. The second component of the self-commander is mindfulness. When we find ourselves in a state of heightened emotion or stress, taking a moment to pause and engage in a mindfulness practice can be a game-changer. Whether it's focusing on our breath, tuning in to our senses, or simply shifting our attention to the present moment, data from sources such as the NIH and the American Psychological Association show that mindfulness has the power to calm the limbic system and open the door to our prefrontal cortex's resourceful capabilities. The final piece of the self-commander is constructive self-dialogue. By replacing the limiting scripts and stories we tell ourselves with more empowering narratives, we can actively reshape our thought patterns and behaviors. Phrases like "Perhaps I can" or "What would make this more fun?" can help us shift from a mindset of fear and anxiety to one of curiosity, play, and exploration. These three elements – self-awareness, mindfulness, and constructive self-dialogue – unlock the power of the "self-commander," enabling us to intercept our limbic reactions and intentionally access our prefrontal cortex's five sage powers: empathy, exploration, innovation, navigation, and focused action. By understanding the cognitive science behind our decision-making and learning to harness the full potential of our minds, we can overcome limiting beliefs, navigate challenges with greater ease, and cultivate a more resilient and resourceful approach to life. |
Mindshifting Educators
Mindshifting is recognizing and shifting from the mindsets that hold us back to the mindsets that push us forward. I write about mindsets, Mindshifting, learning, and education, with the hope that these posts give readers more power over their own lives and helps them give others, like their students, more power as well.
On March 18, 2025 we finished up the MindShifting: Conflict and Collaboration course with 12 presentations on lessons that participants created. These are so inspiring, there were lessons for young children through high school, lessons for adults, posters, a song, and an AI generated podcast about a technique to de-escalate a confrontation with a student. You won't want to miss these. The next MindShifting class starts April 22 (NY teachers can find the course on Frontline, WA teachers can...
Fong Chua hosts the Peak Potential Success show, and I recently had the chance to talk with him about succeeding despite adversity, developing a mindset that fuels success, and #MindShifting. I hope you find this as helpful and interesting as I did. You might want to consider subscribing to the podcast for more interesting discussions.
Carl Jung, frenemy of Sigmund Freud, and a pillar of Psychoanalysis. He died in 1977, and in his later years talked about the interfaces between humans and technology. He felt that our relationship with technology would be the greatest danger we faced in the future. Here is a quote from one of his later interviews: “The power of science and technics … is so enormous and indisputable that there is little point in reckoning up all that can be done and all that has been invented. One shudders at...