Yes, the title of this Episode neatly sums up how the normal mind makes sense of real reality, using a process known as cognitive appraisal.

In this Episode, I explain exactly how this process works and how, in the process, we "live" a number of steps removed from reality - with all the attendant consequences.

For, if you don't know what's going on, how do you know what you should be doing (or not doing) right here and now?

Our thoughts provide us with our flawed understanding what is going on. Consequently, we automatically react to what we think is happening. This dictates our behaviour and how we interact with others. 

Our thoughts therefore create our reality.

In this episode we explore the three types of ordinary everyday looped though programs: the helpful (the ones that enable us make it through the day); the distractions (if there's nothing available to distract us, we're very good at doing it ourselves); and the toxic...

And it is these toxic thoughts that poison our experience of life and, in particular, how we think about ourselves.

But this is an uplifting episode - the real action (and how we can liberate ourselves from our toxic thoughts) comes right at the end.

Most people don't know what they want... they just think they do. And that's normal because, in fact, every thing we do, fail to do, plan and wish for is filtered through thought - it's simply how we're wired.

The real issue is the type of thinking we employ to figure out what our goals and objectives are. That's the first thing we're exploring in this episode.

More importantly, we're exploring how to define what success means to you... and how not to define it!

In the end, we need to ensure that we have a clear perspective on what is truly important to us, what turns us on. Armed with that clear perspective, we can achieve the kind of goals that the normal mind could never even begin to imagine.

Attention on its own is being present in the moment with no direction... you'll end up being happy whilst you go around in circles.

Intention on its own is nothing more than wishful thinking.

But put attention and intention together and you have the combination that will enable you effortlessly achieve the kind of happiness and success beyond the wildest imagination of the normal automated mind.

It doesn't come naturally - we're actually designed to pay attention to almost nothing! And, yet, your happiness and success, even your life depends on you being able to give it your undivided attention.

The curious thing is that, even though (as apparently responsible adults) paying attention doesn't come naturally, it is our natural state of mind... that would be natural before we became so clouded or even overwhelmed by our own thought.

So, this episode explores the key issues (we always need to understand them because they provide us with our why) and, more importantly... what we can do to do what it takes to live life to the full.

Regardless of how well you develop your ability to calm and focused, everyday life throws challenges (small, medium, large and existential) at you... but it is the development of that very calm and focus that enables us meet those challenges and do what is necessary - in a calm and focused way.

That's so different from the way in which the normal mind (operating on Autopilot) reacts to what we think is going (it's actually worse than that as you'll learn)... but, in the end, what that means is that the only real challenge in life involves taking control of your own state of mind.

Rise to that challenge and everything else will be relatively plain sailing.

And worry is so much more than a waste! What do we miss out on while we're worrying? What does worry do to our perspective on life... or the kind of life we'd love to have?

And, most importantly, what can we do to let go of worry?

If I had a Euro, Dollar or Pound for every time I had a conversation with a client (one-to-one, on Facebook Live or Zoom) I could simply spend every day up those beautiful Alps!

But, then again, they talk to me because I know how anyone and everyone - and that includes you - can banish worry for their lives.

And it's easier than you think (so there's no need to worry about it!).

To succeed, to be happy and successful, we need to let go of all the things that hold us back. Unfortunately, that presents the "normal" mind with an insurmountable challenge...

But it's only insurmountable while you're using your normal mind, well, normally.

So, in this very first episode, we're going to dive straight into how we can start using our ordinary mind in an extra-ordinary way.

And, believe it or not, the "extra" is really quite simple... and life-changing.