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Professional News Articles : FRONT DESK by Mary M. Byers, CAE : Getting rid of ‘monkey mind’

Getting rid of ‘monkey mind’

November 7, 2007

Ever had one of those days when your “To Do” list keeps growing, the phones are ringing, patients are no-showing, and your mind swings from tree to tree like a screaming monkey without stopping long enough to allow you to concentrate on the task at hand? I call that “monkey mind.” Here’s what to do the next time you have it in order to regain your ability to focus:

Do a mind dump. Often, your mind moves from one thing to the next and back again in fear that if it doesn’t, it will forget what it is supposed to remember. You can alleviate this fear by capturing what’s in your mind on paper. Once your thoughts are written (usually in the form of a “To Do” list), you’re less likely to forget and your mind no longer needs to flit from item to item in order to remember everything. When you start feeling overwhelmed with all that’s on your plate, do a mind dump. This is the first step to eliminating monkey mind.

Take a break. When the monkeys in your head won’t stop screaming, take 10 minutes. Go for a walk around the block, step outside for some fresh air (yes, even in cold weather), or commiserate with a fellow staff member. Changing your pace will often quiet the monkeys. Prioritize. Sometimes monkey mind occurs when we have too much to do and we start believing we can’t get it all done. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, take action by dividing your “To Do” list into “Must Dos” and “Should Dos.” Focus on the “Must Dos” first, starting with the easiest or the most urgent. Once you get started, the momentum often mutes the monkeys.

Ask for help. Are there things you can ask another staff member to help with? Colleagues are often willing to help when asked. Transferring even one item from your list to someone else’s is another way to quiet the screaming monkeys.

Look for patterns. Do you always have monkey mind on Mondays because there is so much to do or on Fridays because you didn’t get everything done before the weekend? When you spot patterns, identify ways to rearrange your work load so that it’s more evenly distributed, thereby quieting your mind before it moves into frantic mode.

Identify your weaknesses. Monkey mind often occurs when we’re overwhelmed with tasks we’re uncertain about or know we’re not good at. When you know what challenges you to the most, you can be proactive about talking yourself through it rather than listening to the negative mental chatter that accompanies tasks you’re not confident about.

Focus on your strengths when you can. Monkey mind is least likely to occur when you’re on top of your schedule are doing what you’re best at. Consequently, focusing on your strengths is one of the best way to avoid monkey mind altogether.

CDS presents Front Desk, a column addressing problems dentists and staff members experience in the office. Front Desk is prepared by Mary M. Byers, CAE, a professional speaker and freelance writer. Ms. Byers may be reached at mbyers@marybyers.com or www.marybyers.com. Send suggestions for topics to be covered to review@cds.org.

Copyright 2007, Chicago Dental Society