The 3-Minute Interview with Dr. Adrianne Ahern
A performance psychologist who treats athletes, Ahern is author of “Snap Out of it NOW!,” a book that outlines concrete ways people can overcome mental obstacles to perform at the peak level in every area of their lives. Ahern will sign books at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Alexander’s Book Co., 50 Second St. , San Francisco .
Why did you write the book? I had to. I couldn’t move on without it. If I did, I’d be missing the next half of my life.
What’s the basic premise of “Snap Out of it NOW!” It’s a method to rewire your brain toward more positive and congruent thoughts.
How does the method work? There are four steps. One, acknowledge your condition. Two, take inventory by identifying the negative stories that rule your life. Three, decondition your reactions by unplugging your physiology from your limiting stories. Four, “rewire” your brain.
That sounds easier said than done. How do people do it? It takes discipline, conditioning and awareness.
Is there an easy way to begin the process? There’s one technique you can do now. When you feel negative or brain-dead, simply let the negative thought come to your consciousness. Take a deep breath and acknowledge it. Then, breathe out, and release it. Do it for several breaths.
How are your steps different from “The Secret”? People think they can plop a new thought on top of an old one. You have to cleanse to lay fertile ground. I also place a big emphasis on the body.
—Leslie Katz, The Examiner
