Disrupt Your Mindset Algorithm

Let’s face it: we all have thought patterns that have been with us for a long time. And those patterns quietly shape the stories we tell ourselves. They keep us scanning for evidence that confirms what we already believe, even when our circumstances have changed. In other words, our minds start looking for what fits the narrative, not what challenges it.

It’s not all that different from a digital algorithm. Merriam-Webster defines an algorithm as "a set of rules a machine follows to reach a particular goal". Our brains do something similar. They rely on patterns and shortcuts to conserve energy… and sometimes those shortcuts keep us stuck.

When I’m fired up or frustrated, my internal “algorithm” kicks in. My brain hunts for things that match that energy; a friend who will commiserate, a news story that proves my point, anything that doesn’t contradict the emotional path I’m already on. And just like that, confirmation bias is hard at work.

But here’s the truth: those patterns don’t always serve us. They don’t build new pathways, deepen understanding, or support the kind of growth many of us are striving for.

So what can we do when our mindset patterns feel pretty baked in?

1. Ask curiosity-driven questions. Pause the storyline and ask, What else might be true? What am I not seeing? Curiosity interrupts the pattern.

2. Introduce new input. If what you’re consuming reinforces the mood you’re in, shift the input. Choose something that grounds, calms, or expands you.

3. Don’t wait until you’re spiraling. The earlier you disrupt an unhelpful pattern, the easier it is to change it.

I try to practice this as often as possible. Even with my social media feeds. If I linger on certain videos for a few seconds, the algorithm assumes, “Ah, she likes this!” and suddenly every third video is more of the same. Baby goats or inspirational songs? Great. Courtroom drama or political outrage? Not so much.

When I feel myself getting pulled in, I intentionally search for something different: a donkey rescue, meditative soundscapes, baby laughter. Boom. My feed shifts. My mood shifts. My internal algorithm shifts.

Don’t let an unmanaged mind manage your mental health, your relationships, or your mood. You can disrupt the patterns. You can feed your mindset the things that fuel you, ground you, and help you grow. You’re not alone in this, and just as importantly, you not a hostage to the algorithms the world (or your brain) creates.

I’m Debbie Brannan, a leadership, life, and mindset coach. I’d love to support you in taming the thought patterns that stand between you and the life, career and relationships you want.