instructor Hood's Key Ideas from Soundtracks
by Jon Acuff

“What you think influences what you do, which influences the results you get.”

When reflecting, ask whether they reflect these qualities:

• True – Many people believe the story their thoughts tell without testing for credibility. Broken soundtracks harm culture and spirit of an organization if people fail to question the veracity of those messages.
• Helpful – When analyzing thoughts about this conversation, however, consider: Do they fuel your progress or cause indecision?
• Kind – Kind thoughts do not judge you. Google, for example, found that when team members treated their peers without judgment.

Consider these techniques to successfully reset your perspective:

• Exercise, which releases endorphins that boost your mood.
• Make lists to sort out your tasks and help you prioritize.
• Complete a task or two, however minor, to give yourself a sense of accomplishment.
• Distract yourself with a hobby, such as doing a jigsaw puzzle, knitting, reading a book or listening to a podcast.
• Take a walk in the woods.
• Breathe.

“You don’t think your way out of overthinking. You act your way out. You retire broken soundtracks. You replace them with new ones. You repeat those, so often they become as automatic as the old ones. Those are all actions.”

As you collect your new soundtracks, see where they fit using the action” template:

• Identify ways you want to succeed such as having more confidence, even in the cold.
• Retire your broken soundtracks and ask what soundtracks resonate, and will give you impetus to succeed.
• Take action. Conduct preliminary research for sales meeting to solidify understanding and your position.

“Good days start with good thoughts.”

• “Momentum is messy,” addresses perfectionism.
• “I’ve got a gift worth giving,” focuses on personal identity.
• “I am the CEO of me, and I am the best boss,” centers on responsibility.

“You have to gather some evidence of what you want to be true in your life. This is not a passive experience. Proof won’t find you; you have to find it.”

“Overthinking steals time, creativity, and productivity by making you listen to broken soundtracks. Do you know what happens when you listen to new ones? You give your dreams more time, creativity, and productivity. ”