The human mind is constructed over millions of years. It is very complex. Our brain keeps working day and night.

Today we are going to talk about one foundational concept that is called mental chatter. Mental chatter is an internal monologue that we have going on in our heads all the time. It begins with you when you get up in the morning and remains with you right through the day. Right now you are listening to my chatter instead of your chatter.

Mental chatter is very fast. In a moment you think about one subject and the next moment it switches to a totally different subject. For example, you are working on your business plan and suddenly your mind switches to, what you saw on Discovery Channel yesterday – how dangerously Bear Grills crossed the Gorge in the Grand Canyon! Mental chatter is like a distant relation coming to your home without invitation and you cannot throw him out.

Surely, mental chatter disrupts your focus on work. Then, should we try to control our mental chatter? You cannot control it. Accept it. Do not worry too much about it. It is OK as long as it does not consume you. Maybe it is nature’s way of keeping you alert day and night!

Now, we will talk about Mental Models.

A mental model is an explanation of how something works. It is a concept, framework, or general view that you carry around in your mind to help you interpret the universe and understand the relationship between things. Mental models are deeply held beliefs about how the universe works.

People form mental models for everything they interact with, including products, places, and people.

We are not born with mental models. We develop them as we grow based on our experience. We decide our choices based on our mental models. Mental models are not ‘the reality’ as we think. They are ‘a reality’. You feel that your Mental Model is ‘true’ but somebody else’s Mental  Model may be just opposite that.

Some Mental Models:

‘ All politicians are opportunists’

‘ Women are not tough, so they are not fit to join military’ ( recently this Mental Model is challenged)

‘All children are innocent’

City people are ‘smart’ and villagers are not ’smart’

Sometimes these Mental Models become mental blocks. They become a hindrance in our progress.

For example, Ashok who was born in a business community in India, felt “ I cannot be a Research Scholar.No point pursuing PH.D. I better get into business after Graduation.”

You can consciously change your Mental Model. However, it requires efforts.

Consider the following case:

Sudha thought, “ Always keep your guard up. People are not to be trusted. Everyone you run into wants something from you.” She became extra careful and kept her distance from everybody. 

Later on after serious thinking on her nature, she changed her Model as, “Be kind to everyone. You never know what lies beneath the surface. The best way to find beauty is through sincere concern and thought. Let your own guard down and people will let you in” 

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