02:22

Timeful Task : Thirty Three Percent Efficient

by Tom Evans

Rated
4.8
Type
talks
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
366

The normal human mind is only capable of holding one stream of thought at a time. Think about a thought and it gets replaced by the thought you are having about that thought. This timeful task contains a simple way to get your thought stream under control.

Thought ManagementMindfulnessEfficiencySelf InquiryMindfulness In Daily LifePast And Future Focus

Transcript

There was a busy man who was having a bad week at work.

He was missing deadlines.

In meetings,

His colleagues noticed he wasn't paying attention.

His boss ended up calling him into his office for a talking to.

What's up?

Something wrong at home?

His boss said.

The man felt embarrassed and that he'd had to tell him what was on his mind.

I'm doing a best man speech this weekend and I just can't get it off my mind,

He said.

Now his boss loved crafting a good speech and he said,

Do you want help writing it?

It's not that,

Said the man.

The last time I did a best man speech,

I offended my best friend's new wife and he's not spoken to me since.

I'm terrified it will happen again.

I can't get the last wedding off my mind and the new speech into it.

Now the normal human mind is only capable of experiencing one thought at a time.

So when we're rehearsing what we're about to say in the future,

Or mulling over a conversation we've had in the past,

We become unfocused from what's happening right now.

The past,

The present and the future have an equal claim over our mind,

Meaning most of us are around 33% efficient.

If you think about the thought you're having right now,

You replace that thought with the thought you're having about it.

Just think about that statement for a few seconds to see what I mean.

From when we awaken until when we fall asleep,

Our inner commentary and dialogue fires up and takes over our mind.

Now it's a fallacy that thoughts become things,

They are things.

They can be manipulated,

Played with and transmuted.

So the next time you find unwanted thoughts mulling around in your head,

Here's how to make them go away.

First you thank them for coming along,

Then ask them who sent them and for what purpose.

Next politely ask them to go away because you're busy,

But let them know they can pop back again when the timing is more appropriate.

And just notice how when you practice this for a few days,

How your efficiency skyrockets.

Meet your Teacher

Tom EvansUK

4.8 (63)

Recent Reviews

Paula

November 17, 2024

How cool is that. Trying to remember to do it will be challenging. 🙏😇

Kelli

November 16, 2024

Tom, Did just that at my youngest daughter’s wedding. I am doing that now. Thank you! About to go teach a chair yoga class & you arrive with the needed tools & message.

FairySarah

November 15, 2024

Brilliant advice for an overactive mind … thank you thank you thank you 🧚💕🧚

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© 2026 Tom Evans. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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