In today’s day and age when everything is ‘fast and furious’, it is difficult to control the ‘furious’ part. A majority of people today, especially youngsters, are stressed not because of what is happening outside, but mainly because of what is happening inside their heads: what topic to pursue, which classes to take, which dress to wear, how to manage time...these thoughts have no end.
Sfurti Sahare, in her book The Monkey Theory: Conquer Your Mental Chatter , names these thoughts as ‘monkey chatter’. She says that on observing people, she realised that what happens inside someone’s head is mainly because of the thoughts generated. “If these thoughts are positive, then, the result is positive, but if these thoughts are disturbing, then it takes away life’s peace and excitement,” says Sfurti.
“The concept of mental chatter is simply to tell you that it is easy to control your behaviour and manage anger, frustration and anxiety. It is easier to handle procrastination and laziness once we know how to use mental chatter in our favour,” she continues.
Take control
Sfurti’s book talks about how these chatters can be used to enhance one’s performance in decision-making, studies, and life in general. “The monkey theory can help you understand the negative patterns inside your head. It can help you be in the present, and execute things properly to take your fears away and to make sure that everything lies in what you do right now.”
Talking about the issues that the youth face today, Sfurti says how procrastination has become a huge part of the problem, but adds that it can be tackled with some effort. “They have to be super passionate about what they want to do; that is important. Second, they have to keep meeting new people who are from different walks of life, attend conferences, invest money on their education and learn new skills by attending webinars,” she says. Sfurti encourages students to dream “Have a goal which will make you crazy and passionate enough to go and achieve that very thing.”
Another thing that Sfurti brings up is the tendency of the youth today to get influenced easily. “They see their favourite actors and get influenced; they hear something which is not in their favour and get influenced. It is important to first understand that the opinions people give are theirs, and have to figure out what will work for them,” explains Sfurti. She urges students to find their calling and stick to it.
