Elevate Your Life Through Mind Training

The final step in the neuroscience method is to elevate your life through mind training. At WSSA, we talk about this all the time, and I wanted to share a few examples of how it has impacted me personally. If the concept of mind training is new to you, I recommend reading Lee’s book How to Stop Stuttering & Love Speaking for a more in-depth explanation.

I practice mind training daily, usually in the morning and evening. Some days I get distracted or forget, but I try to be consistent. I start with general positive affirmations to calm myself and set the right mindset. Then I move on to specifics. For example, I might say, “When I speak, calmness floods my body” or “I am 100% fluent in all situations.” Then I focus on particular goals, like, “I will be patient with my coworkers today” or “I will stay calm when I talk to my boss.” At first, I didn’t notice much difference. But after a few weeks, things started to change. I began remembering my training when it mattered and could implement it immediately. Over time, I got better at using mind training throughout the day, not just during scheduled sessions. Whenever I needed to adjust my mental state, I could. It felt almost like a superpower.

A few weeks ago, I took a major test for my job as a building inspector. Passing this test would place me among only a few thousand people in the nation with this certification. I studied hard and felt ready, but on test day, I was nervous.

Arriving early, I waited in the lobby full of doctors and medical professionals. The sign-in process was delayed, giving me 30 minutes to spiral into anxiety over failing or not studying enough. I quickly realized this would ruin my focus. So, I turned to mind training right there in the lobby. I started with general affirmations to calm myself, then repeated things like, “I will have a clear mind,” “I will recall information clearly,” and “I will focus 100%.”

By the time my name was called, my heart rate had slowed, my mind was clear, and I felt calm. I didn’t pass the test the first time, but I remained composed. Seven days later, I took it again and passed. I am now an International Code Council Certified Combination Building Inspector in both residential and commercial construction.

Recently, my wife and I decided to go skydiving. We attended a “Jump School” briefing before boarding a plane to 14,000 feet. As expected, my heart rate rose during the ascent. I used mind training to stay calm, focusing on simple general affirmations to maintain composure. When it came time to jump, I wasn’t completely calm, but I wasn’t panicked either. I was excited and ready for the ride of a lifetime. I cannot recommend mind training enough. It has transformed my life, and I know it can do the same for you. As a side note, skydiving was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I highly recommend. If you ever get the chance to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, take it.