Wellness Corner 51: Judo and Thinking Cost

Hey Falcons,

Try to think two thoughts at once. Humor me. Try it. Unless you have the brain of Nikola Tesla, you can’t do it. Your mental supercomputer can actually only run one program at a time. 

Enter our friend, the “thinking cost.” When you're thinking about something, billions of other thoughts could have occupied that one thought’s spot, each of which have an Opportunity Cost. That’s why it’s so key to stay away from drama and toxicity — they clog your supercomputer up with negative 1x thoughts. While taking notes. On a walk. Before a college interview. This is terrible for your health…but the biggest loss is the other thoughts you could be having instead.

Try these two strategies for defense and offense.

• Defense: Avoid people who cause you negative thoughts or worries, and spend time with people who add 10x thoughts, all positive and/or full of potential.

• Offense: In the Japanese martial art Judo, you use your opponent's momentum against them. Writer and marketer George Mack devised the ‘mental Judo Throw': whenever you catch yourself in a negative thought loop, ask yourself: "What is the 10x positive thought loop I'm missing out on right now?” You not only see the bigger picture but immediately turn yourself to positive matters. You’ll find why it’s pointless to think about regrets you have and instead aim towards the future — ruthless to read, I know, but immensely practical. 

Let’s invest in each thought and channel our energy toward positivity, progress, and happiness. 

Stay well,

Eshaan