In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, it’s easy to fall into old patterns, whether its reacting to stress, doubting our abilities, or feeling trapped by the same negative thoughts that seem to play on repeat.
But what if we could step back, observe those reactions, and choose a different path?
That’s the essence of what I call MindShifting. It is, essentially, the practice of noticing our mental patterns and consciously shifting them toward resourcefulness, resilience, and collaboration.
I had the chance to explore this deeply with Jason Liem on his insightful podcast, It’s an Inside Job.
Step One: Self-Awareness
Real change begins with awareness. In fact, it is what psychologists call metacognition, or “thinking about your thinking.”
When stress hits, our “survival brain”—the limbic system—takes over, driving us toward fight, flight, freeze, or simple conformity. The trick is learning to recognize when this happens. A simple self-check can be powerful: Am I reacting out of habit, or responding with intention?
Jason captured this idea perfectly, during our conversation when he said:
“It takes a level of self-awareness to understand the narrative running in our head so we can become the author of that narrative, and not just the character within it.”
That moment of noticing opens a door. It’s where the shift begins.
Step Two: Self-Compassion
Of course, awareness alone isn’t enough. Even when we see our patterns clearly and harbor the best of intentions, we all slip.
The key is not to judge ourselves for it, but to meet those moments with compassion.
Self-compassion is what keeps awareness from turning into self-criticism. It reminds us that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Every misstep becomes a data point, a chance to learn. When we see our experiences as information rather than judgment, growth becomes possible.
Again, Jason summed it up well when he said,
“It sounds like self-compassion is the next major skill. To understand, ‘Okay, I overreacted or didn’t show up my best in that reaction’ but to still show yourself compassion . This is part of the human condition, and that we can learn from ourselves, and maybe we show up in a better way the next time something similar happens.”
Step Three: Tools for Everyday Resilience
Awareness and compassion are the foundation—but we also need practical tools to help us return to balance when life throws us off.
Jason and I discussed several simple techniques that anyone can use:
1. Third-party your thoughts.
When negative self-talk kicks in, label it: There goes my survival brain again. Creating that distance helps you see the thought as just brain activity, not truth.
2. Reframe your self-talk.
Swap “I can’t” for “Perhaps I can.” That small shift invites your resourceful brain to start problem-solving.
3. Take a mindful pause.
A deep breath, a short walk, or even a stretch can interrupt the stress cycle and bring clarity.
4. Seek connection.
Sometimes the best reset comes from talking things through—with a friend, coach, or therapist who can help you see beyond your own narrative.
The Shift Is the Practice
If you’d like to dive deeper into these ideas, I invite you to listen to my full conversation with Jason Liem on It’s an Inside Job. You’ll find the episode embedded below, along with links to listen wherever you get your podcasts.
For more resources, tools, and upcoming MindShifting courses, visit MindShiftingWithMitch.com.
Leave a Reply