Slow Down

I recently heard two phrases (at different times) that I wrote down because I thought they might turn into weekly messages.  Little did I know that in retrospect, they are connected together, and here they are now in this one message!

"I have a racecar brain with bicycle brakes!"

I laughed out loud when the person told me this, and I also took notice of how much it resonated with me. There are times when my brain can get moving so fast that it feels like it just runs out of control to all kinds of wild places and imagined circumstances.  It feels like my brain is moving like a racecar, but the brakes are almost useless! Most of the time when this happens, I end up in a place of high stress, often accompanied by worry and anxiety. I imagine scenarios that haven't even started to unfold, and I'm trying to figure out solutions to problems that haven't even happened yet!  Enter the second phrase.

"I believe information is the antidote to assumption."

When the person shared this with me, I immediately grabbed my pen and started writing!  It reminded me of a phrase I frequently use and recommend to others - "What do I actually know about what's happening?"  For example, perhaps I see someone zoom around me on the highway and almost cut me off to get to their exit. As they fly by me, I may think, "What a jerk!"  But, if I allow actual information to come into the picture, what I really (and only) know is that person is in a hurry for some reason! I don't actually know what that reason is, and by assuming they are just doing it to be a jerk is a huge leap based on a wild assumption. Now let's connect them together.

"I have a racecar brain with bicycle brakes, but if I Slow Down and use actual information, it will help to counteract my assumptions."

When my brain starts racing, it is almost always based on assumptions I am making, so telling myself the truth about what I know is a way for me to Slow Down. In those moments I often ask, "What do I actually know to be true about what's happening?" I tap into the actual information and knowledge I have, which counteracts the assumptions and applies some brakes to my racing brain. I work to ground myself in present reality and knowledge, rather than speeding down the highway of unchecked assumptions.  

How about you? Do you tend to have a racecar brain with bicycle brakes? Does that happen because of assumptions you are making? What happens when you apply actual knowledge and concrete information? Does it help you Slow Down and stay more grounded in present reality?  Are there some particular circumstances that seem to regularly be racing for you right now, and how could you ground yourself with some actual information and concrete knowledge about that situation?

Here's to using information to Slow Down our racing brains this week!

Be Well,

Stephen

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