"L'esprit ne peut penser qu'à une chose à la fois. Assurez-vous que c'est la bonne chose."

Our brains are pretty amazing, but they’re not perfect. At any given moment, we can only focus on a single thought. That's it. Just one. And because of that, we need to be careful about what we're focusing on. If we let our minds linger on something negative or unproductive, we're wasting our limited mental energy and time. Instead, by consciously choosing to focus on positive, constructive, or useful thoughts, we can steer our lives in a better direction.

This idea has roots in various philosophies and psychological practices. In the late 20th century, the concept of mindfulness gained traction in the West, thanks to figures like Jon Kabat-Zinn who introduced Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Mindfulness teaches us to be aware of our present thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you’re mindful, you're essentially choosing to focus your thoughts deliberately, rather than letting your mind wander aimlessly. This practice can be traced back even further to ancient Buddhist teachings.

Think about a student preparing for final exams. If they keep thinking about how they've failed a test before or how hard the subject is, their anxiety increases, and they struggle to study effectively. But if they focus on understanding the material, making a study plan, and taking breaks to clear their mind, they’re far more likely to succeed. They’re using their mental energy to focus on what will help them progress, rather than what will hold them back.

So, how can you make sure you're focusing on the right thing? First, try to catch yourself when your thoughts drift to something unhelpful. It could be that nagging worry about a mistake you made at work or fretting over something that’s completely out of your control. When you notice this happening, pause. Take a deep breath. Ask yourself if this thought is helping you in any way. If it’s not, gently guide your mind back to something more constructive.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and they tell you about a big presentation they have the next day. They’ve been obsessing over the possibility of everything going wrong—forgetting their lines, the projector not working, their boss looking unimpressed. You’d probably tell them to focus on practicing and preparing instead. To picture the presentation going well. To think about how confident they’ll feel after they’ve rehearsed a few times. That’s the essence of choosing the right thought.

To make this a habit, you could start with small, daily practices. Every morning, set an intention for something positive or productive to focus on. Maybe it’s finishing a project, being kind to yourself, or simply staying calm in stressful situations. Throughout the day, check in with yourself and gently redirect your thoughts if they stray. It’s like training a muscle—the more you practice, the stronger your ability to focus on the right thing will become.

So next time you catch your mind wandering into negative territory, remember—you have the power to choose what you think about. Make it something that moves you forward, not something that holds you back.