Change can be difficult because it often requires us to shift our habits, thoughts and interpretations. Even if we want to make positive change, we do things that sabotage our success and react in ways that cause pain, anxiety, and fear.

So, why does this happen, and is there any way to change this?

According to my guest, Thomas M. Sterner, the best way to break patterns is to understand why we behave as we do and to develop the skill to craft the behavioral changes we desire.

Thomas M. Sterner is the CEO of the Practicing Mind Institute and is an in-demand speaker and coach working with high-performance industry groups and individuals, including athletes, to help them operate effectively in high-stress situations and experience new levels of mastery. He is the author of the bestselling “The Practicing Mind,” Fully Engaged, and most recently, “It’s Just a Thought.” Sterner studied Eastern and Western philosophy and modern sports psychology and trained as a jazz pianist.

During our conversation, Thomas offers his advice on becoming the master of our mind’s capabilities instead of its servant. We discuss ways to improve our internal dialogue by replacing negative thoughts with empowering ones. He also shares tips to change old habits and introduce new and better ones.

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To learn more about Thomas M. Sterner and his book “It’s Just a Thought: Emotional Freedom through Deliberate Thinking” visit: http://www.tomsterner.com

Interview timestamps:

02:30 ︳Why it’s challenging to become a deliberate thinker in today’s world
04:10 ︳The inspiration behind Thomas’ book “It’s Just a Thought”
06:26 ︳The main challenges to managing our thoughts
09:20 ︳How to develop thought awareness
11:18 ︳Understanding and managing the subconscious mind
16:10 ︳The relationship between emotional management and thought control
19:30 ︳The power of interpreting situations
23:30 ︳Finding ways to process your emotions based on your nature
26:30 ︳What is a scoring barrier and how it limits our growth
30:30 ︳Thomas’ tip on rising about our perceived limits