Have you ever walked into a shift already bracing for the worst? Maybe you think, “Today’s going to be a disaster,” or “I can’t deal with another short-staffed shift.” And then, like magic (or maybe confirmation bias), the day unfolds exactly as expected—chaotic, exhausting, and frustrating.
But what if you could shift that experience before it even begins? What if, instead of your brain automatically scanning for stress, overwhelm, and frustration, you trained it to look for something else?
Enter: Intentional Thought Creation
Intentional Thought Creation is the practice of deliberately choosing a new thought and actively seeking, savoring, and soaking in evidence to support it. Instead of waiting for your brain to shift on its own (it won’t), you direct it toward what you want to believe.
Here’s how this plays out:
1. Seek Evidence
Let’s say you want to believe, “I handle difficult situations with confidence.”
Instead of defaulting to “I’m drowning” when things get hectic, actively seek proof that you do handle challenges well. Notice when you de-escalate a patient’s anxiety, efficiently prioritize care, or troubleshoot a problem before it escalates. If you seek it, you’ll find it.
2. Savor the Evidence
Your brain is wired to remember negative events more vividly than positive ones. This is why you’ll replay a mistake in your head for days but forget the three patients who thanked you. To counteract this, pause and fully absorb the evidence when you see it.
When a patient tells you, “I felt safe with you,” or a coworker says, “I love working with you,” don’t brush it off. Take a moment to let it sink in. Maybe even write it down in a notes app to revisit later. The more you spend time with it– savor it, the more real it becomes in your mind.
3. Soak in the New Thought
The final step is to let your brain marinate in the thought. Picture it as a new groove you’re carving into your neural pathways. The more you think it, the stronger it gets.
Try this: At the end of your shift, before you replay the stressful moments, deliberately recall three moments that support your new thought. Did you stay calm during a code? Did you make a patient laugh? Did you advocate for yourself or a coworker? Soak it in.
The Impact on Your Work and Well-Being
When you train your brain to look for evidence that supports your desired beliefs, you shift your entire experience of work. Instead of defaulting to dread, frustration, or defeat, you start to see yourself as capable, competent, and in control of how you think and feel.
Imagine walking into a shift believing:
- I am a skilled and compassionate nurse.
- I always find a way to get through tough shifts.
- I make a difference, even in small ways.
What would change for you if you practiced seeking, savoring, and soaking in evidence of these thoughts every day?
Ready to Make This Shift?
This is exactly the kind of transformation we work on in coaching. If you’re tired of dreading your shifts or feeling stuck in survival mode, let’s talk. Book a consultation and start shifting your experience from the inside out.
Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a coaching session here.
Or, if you are not a Logan Health Employee, you can book a consultation to learn how to work with me here.
P.P.S. Liked what you read? Join my email list, where I dive deeper into these concepts and teach you HOW to put them into practice in your everyday life. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@christineseager_) or Facebook (@seager.christine), where I share both teaching moments and real-life examples of this work in action.