Sunday, July 7, 2019

Cognitive Rehearsal

Over the last few years, I have posted many tools designed to help scholars challenge the beliefs and internalized chatter that gets in their way. One tool that I have not really explored directly before is cognitive rehearsal. I actually have presented many tools that actually include cognitive rehearsals as a key component or step, but I want to explore the method a bit more directly in order to help you consider its value.

Cognitive rehearsal is simple--it entails repeating, practicing and performing, literally rehearsing the beliefs that you wish to hold. Cognitive rehearsals differ from affirmations as not all cognitive rehearsals are designed to affirm. They can be, for example, simple instructions to self that you wish to internalize, disputations of irrational beliefs that hold you back, perspectives that you wish to adopt, intentions for thinking and behavior, or steps you wish to memorize to help you persist through your processes. 

A key principle underlining cognitive rehearsal is neuroplasticity--the brain, and our beliefs, are far more plastic, or malleable to change, than we once thought.

I will be writing a few more posts over the next few weeks suggesting tools for helping you implement cognitive rehearsals.


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