Mind Matters - 21 Practical Tools for Better Thinking

This course is designed to help you have a better life by better thinking. As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet "There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so." Therefore, why do we not make ourselves have good thinking?

The course has 12 modules and we will begin by thinking about thinking.  What is the mind for? How did it evolve? How has science attempted to unravel the workings of the mind.  Is it possible to teach thinking?

Metacognition means being aware of our thoughts, our cognition. I will introduce 21 tools that can be used to practice metacognition.  Using these tools on a daily basis, you will become more aware of how your mind works and what you need to do to gain a sense of calm contentment. In addition, your thoughts will be more focused, more efficient and less prone to anxiety.

Mindfulness is a word that has currency in todays world but it is not a word that I use often because I find it too vague. Buddhists use mindfulness but they have a support system and centuries of working with that tool. I will present pragmatic techniques that give practical meaning to mindfulness from a psychological rather than a spiritual perspective.

Meditation is another tool for metacognition. I have practiced meditation for over 30 years but I have come to the conclusion that it is not such a good tool for myself. My mind is very active and meditation has done little to calm it down. Over many years of study, I have gained a deep knowledge of current research and learning in psychology, neuroscience and mental well-being. I am a qualified hypnotherapist with 4 years experience. I will present to you, the skills, knowledge and understanding that we need to cope with a modern life.