8 THE FOUR STEP METHOD
Choose your own thoughts. Don’t let anyone else choose
them for you.
David Lawrence Preston
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Memorise the Four Step Method. Recite it out loud until you know it
off by heart.
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Practise mindfulness. Mindfulness means paying attention to what you
are thinking and feeling, and being aware of how you respond to people
and events.
When you become more mindful your mind becomes quieter and you
see things more clearly. You are less likely to speak and act hastily.
Mindfulness deepens your understanding of yourself and the world
around you. It is a vital step towards greater confidence and self-esteem.
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For the next five minutes (time yourself ), do just one thing at once and
verbalise every movement you make. For example:
‘Now I am thinking about picking up my pen.
Now I am picking up my pen.
Now I am writing in my notebook.
Now I put the pen down.
Now I close the book.
Now I put the book in the drawer.’
Do this daily for the next seven days – the more often the better. It will
seem strange at first – but do it anyway. It’s a powerful exercise in
mindfulness.
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