How to Master Your Monkey Mind: Overcome anxiety, increase confidence and regain control of your life

by Don MacPherson

compared with something that persists and remains unresolved. For example, if you are anxious about a visit to the dentist tomorrow morning, you know that by tomorrow evening, all will be well again. On the other hand, a worry that has been dragging on for a while already, for which no resolution seems to be on the horizon (such as a chronic health concern or a persistent lack of financial security), is something else altogether. Even the root of the word ‘anxious’ comes from the Latin ‘anxius’, meaning to be worried about something uncertain happening in the future. In other words, it’s the ‘what ifs’ that plague so many of us. Unfortunately, our Monkey Mind doesn’t like dealing with any level of uncertainty. It demands answers right now and doesn’t want to know what you are going to do about it, but also when and how. Your Monkey can become increasingly agitated if no answer to the ‘what if’ is forthcoming, and the longer this impasse continues, the closer the Monkey gets to throwing a wobbler, sending your body a rush of unnecessary adrenalin until your appetite disappears, your sleep is destroyed and you feel trapped by constant Monkey Chatter. ‘Analysis paralysis’ has taken hold and, for now, decision-making is put on hold and your head is full to the brim of thoughts and questions. The Monkey is in charge of your life. Your brain is now burning itself out as the Monkey works overtime, desperately trying to find answers to the issues you are experiencing.