Overcoming the Mind Trap: Become Who You are Meant to Be

Where it started: You set goals.

You Set Goals. You brainstorm ways to meet your goals. These goals could be physical, mental, or emotional. Maybe you want to get in better shape – start running or walking every day, lift more weights, get bigger, get smaller, eat healthier, have more energy. Perhaps you would like to have more focus and be more productive. Or, you are just tired of feeling unmotivated, depressed, or angry.

It could be you have taken it further. You have looked into a gym membership or training class, browsed the 30-day yoga challenges on Youtube, watched several videos and read articles on productivity, and discussed these goals with friends or a therapist while confessing your anger and depression. You did it. You set an intention. Good for you.

Where it is: The mind trap.

This is where the mind starts playing tricks on you. It can be very sneaky. Because, secretly, the mind doesn’t like change. It is afraid of change. No matter how you have consciously labeled your current habits as “bad” or “unhealthy”, the subconscious mind is comfortable there. It confuses your habits with your concept of who you are; this part of your mind feels threatened by giving up old habits.

So, while you may have decided to do better, this part of the mind will have you celebrating your good intentions with a bottle of (alcohol of choice), an entire pack of Oreos, and binge-watching videos. Then, when tomorrow arrives, all the excuses start bubbling up from the depths.

There isn’t enough time in the day between work, children, your partner, or your commute. The gym membership isn’t in the budget right now. You are so out of shape it will take forever to get where you want to be. There is cleaning or home maintenance to be done. You are already too sore and tired to do anything. It would be selfish to take time away from parenting or spending time with your partner.

You have fallen into the mind trap.

There is nothing to be ashamed of. It happens. The problem is, these are not naturally-occuring ideas. These are programmed excuses… thoughts you have internalized that contain more guilt than truth. You are guilty and selfish for seeking change.

The next thing you know, six months have gone by. You aren’t any more productive, your health is even worse, and your work and relationships are suffering because you are still angry and depressed. It is a vicious cycle created, not by external circumstances, but by your own mind; the Mud Mind.

Pitfalls of the Mud Mind

How do you get out of the mind trap?

Setting an intention is the first step. But, many stop here. Visualizing your goals is important, but imagining doesn’t take into account the challenges or magically manifest a new you and a new life.

A little bit of research can be helpful. You might even draw up a plan that is colorful, themed, and goal-oriented that includes various aspects of your life to hep you maintain focus and avoid unsuitable choices. Planning can help with focus and with keeping you from injuring yourself or adopting change that isn’t right for you. However, it can also turn into a quagmire where you find yourself stuck, spinning your wheels—your mind's wheels.

What we often forget is that we are the agents of change. The mind does not control you unless you permit it to. You hold the reins of your mind. While you may not have control over your environment, your true challenge lies in rising to meet the obstacles that it presents.

You are the Resource

Can’t make it to the gym? Remember, the whole world is your gym! There are countless outdoor spaces where you can walk, run, lift, throw, practice yoga, or even martial arts. Sure, the weather can be less than ideal, but you have a choice: face the elements like a warrior or find a cozy spot indoors. That’s where the real challenge begins.

Do you think every fight will occur in a perfectly controlled environment, with flat surfaces and no obstacles? If you possess genuine motivation to practice yoga or dance, you will adapt to the space available—whether it’s your carport, kitchen, or RV—and make the most of it.

The same principle applies to nutrition, relationships, and work. Embrace creativity and resourcefulness. Work with what you have; that is the challenge. The real mistake lies in envisioning all that you could achieve while relying on idealized situations that simply don’t exist.

Instead of promising yourself that you will be happier, kinder, or more productive and focused IF or WHEN certain conditions are met, the challenge is to embody those qualities anyway—one day at a time, every single day.

What's stopping you?

Do you plan on trying some of these ideas to overcome the mind trap? We would love to hear about it! Leave a comment below.

SAMMA Benevolent Society is dedicated to helping bring the benefits of Martial Arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to all people, especially those facing hardships. We do this through our Scholarship Program, partnerships with businesses and organizations, Learning Programs, and Community Events. We are student-founded and 100% volunteer run. Every dollar donated to SAMMA Benevolent Society goes directly to funding our Scholarship Program - and every scholarship award goes to changing a life by supporting access to martial arts training and TCM. Operational costs are met by our fee-based online education programs, events, and the Society Store. What we're trying to say is, "Your support means everything!!! To donate visit https://www.sammabenevolentsociety.org/donate. To get involved, email us at sammabenevelonentsociety@gmail.com . We would love to hear from you!

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