Brain science based micro-writing prompts to get unstuck, think clearly, and follow through - so you can close the gap between what you're capable of and how your days actually go. Stop losing time and energy to the same loops, avoidance, and mental spin - and then use those shifts to build what’s next.
Mental chatter: what is it costing you?
In this week's JournalingFix newsletter:
Hi everyone, I asked a successful friend this week what still slows him down the most, ie, the thing that derails his days or keeps him from doing what he actually wants to be doing. He didn’t hesitate: So I asked him, “If you could turn that down - if it wasn’t running the show - what would change for you?” He laughed and said: If our brains weren't burning so much time and energy on loops, second‑guessing, what‑ifs, and noise, we all have ideas we want to build, do, accomplish. Our capacity is there, but we've got to deal with our mental chatter tax. For you, “rich” might mean something completely different: “I’d have my book draft done.” “I’d make that career move I keep circling.” “I’d stop ending every day feeling behind, no matter how much I did.” What mental chatter is really costingFrom a brain perspective, “mental chatter” is not only an annoyance, it’s:
That combination can raise the cost of everything you’re trying to do:
It’s like you have the skills and ambition, but the friction tax on each move goes up. A 2‑line journal check-in with your own version of “rich”Before we talk about tools, try writing this (you’ve got to write it, not just think it - it makes a difference):
Maybe it’s revenue. Maybe it’s health. Maybe it’s relationships. Whatever your answer is - that’s your version of “I’d be rich.” What you could build on the other side is not hypothetical. Where Clear. Start. Focus fitsClear. Start. Focus is not a mindset e-book or course. It doesn’t ask you to be a different person. It’s nine short, structured protocols built for the most predictable forms of mental chatter that tax high‑functioning people during the day:
It gets the chatter out of our heads and onto the page (cognitive offloading). It helps our brains see the pattern we’re in, not just the content. It walks us to a specific “next move” that fits that pattern, so we can get traction instead of staying in the loop. If you already downloaded it but haven’t used itIf Clear. Start. Focus is sitting in your downloads folder, here’s your one‑minute start:
If you haven’t grabbed it yetIf reading this made you immediately think of the things that would change if your mental chatter dropped, the kit - Clear. Start. Focus: 9 micro‑writing protocols for the moments that stop most people - is free and you can download it below.
Virtual — wherever you are 💻 Micro-Journaling for Motivation, Focus, and Resilience Wednesday, April 8 · 10:00–11:00 AM PDT · Zoom Hosted by Tech Ladies — open to all genders This one goes deeper into how micro-journaling helps you build real daily agency - clearer priorities, less rumination, faster re-entry into focus after your brain has gone in all the directions. Tickets are $10, free for Tech Ladies PRO members. Heads up: tickets close an hour before the event and it won't be recorded, so register ahead of time. Coming soon! Nighttime PlaybookJournalingFix bite-sized writing protocols for the evenings and nights that hijack your sleep, your mood, and your next day. Planned launch is next week! Thanks for being here, Áine PS... If you think of a friend, colleague, or family member who could benefit from the workshops or free protocols kit, I'd love if you could forward this email to them. Thank you for helping me reach and help as many people as possible! |
JournalingFix Newsletter
Brain science based micro-writing prompts to get unstuck, think clearly, and follow through - so you can close the gap between what you're capable of and how your days actually go. Stop losing time and energy to the same loops, avoidance, and mental spin - and then use those shifts to build what’s next.
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This week’s JournalingFix newsletter: – Why your best ideas show up in the shower (and don’t come back when you need them)– 4 quick writing steps to get brilliant ideas back on track– How to turn “lost” ideas into something you can use later Hi, it’s Áine. You know those brilliant ideas we all get when we’re in the shower, on a walk, driving, pretty much anywhere we can’t do something about them? They’re so sharp and obvious in the moment. I always think, “There’s no way I’ll forget this.”...