I originally developed Switch Thinking based on the idea of switching between Box Mode and Ball Mode.
Box Mode was a structured, analytical and rational way of thinking based on efficiency and what has worked before.
It feels safe and comfortable.
Ball Mode by contrast was as the metaphor suggests more of a fun, unstructured, emotive and creative mode of thinking.
This still works really well.
But what if, you change your starting point?
Rather than start with your thinking why not start with how you are feeling right now.
This very moment.
Not in a clinical or therapeutic sense.
Or trying to solve deep trauma or major mental health challenges.
But the everyday emotions that shape how you experience your life.
You could be feeling a bit nervous, frustrated, bored or stuck to name a few.
These feelings impact how you act and how you think.
For example, if you are overcome with nerves in a presentation your performance suffers.
You can stutter, repeat or even forget key points.
You start to lose confidence and your creativity can desert you.
Or you receive unexpected feedback and become defensive.
You stare at a blank page and feel flat.
In those moments, you don’t need a 12-month transformation plan.
You need a small switch.
A small switch in thinking which can then lead to a switch in how you are feeling.
For example:
Let’s return to the feeling of being nervous before a presentation.
You pause and acknowledge your nerves.
Then you try and switch your thinking.
Here are three potential switches:
Select one of these three switches in the next two minutes (it does not matter which one).
1. Switch your Perspective
Imagine you are speaking to one person who genuinely wants you to succeed.
2. Switch your Focus
Stop focusing on yourself.
Focus on what your audience most needs to hear.
3. Switch to the Future
Imagine the presentation is over and people are smiling.
None of these switches are huge.
And I am suggesting you select one and play with it for 2 minutes.
But together they can begin to shift how you feel and perhaps your energy levels or confidence.
All in the moment when you most need it.
In short, a small switch in thinking can make a big impact in how you feel – almost instantly.
But the starting point is how you are feeling.
I love this approach because you can use the tools of Switch Thinking to address an (often) negative feeling.
It’s real, practical and fast.
This Switch Thinking approach can help you when you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, bored, anxious or lacking energy.
Any time when you are struggling in an everyday situation.
At work, home and everywhere in between.
Why does Switch Thinking work?
Partly it’s the word switch itself.
A switch is temporary, safe, reversible, playful and doable
You are not being asked to become a different person forever.
You are simply trying a different way of thinking for the next two minutes.
That small timeframe changes everything psychologically.
It’s not saying you must change your life or what you have been thinking, feeling or doing is wrong.
To use an analogy it’s like a simple switch of gears, channels or apps for a few minutes.
The goal is to be able to change how you feel when you need to through small, intentional switches.
And secondly the 6 Switches give you a tool kit to change your thinking.
It could be changing your perspective, focus, assumptions, questions, emotions or unlock your imagination.
And I have found that when you give people these 6 switches they feel empowered, they have agency and more control not only over their thinking but their feeling as well.
Because sometimes the smallest switch creates the biggest difference.