From Chaos to Clarity and the Six Tools That Will Change Your Life from the Inside Out
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Written by Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified mindset self-worth coach who has been helping people all over the globe change the way they see themselves and gain a deeper sense of self-worth and confidence for more than 5 years. His simple but effective coaching style is what makes clients comfortable enough to be open and trust him fully as their coach.
In a world that moves faster than we can sometimes think, the greatest journey we can take is inward. This journey is not always as easy as we would like it to be, and sometimes the road seems long and never-ending, and leads us to some very ugly and dark places we would rather not visit. The truth is, if we are serious about growth and our personal development, then this is the journey we must be willing to take.
Whether striving for success, healing from past trauma, seeking more peace, or finding your purpose, mastering the inner game is essential. At the core of this journey are six fundamental tools that I have found helpful in my personal development journey: Focus, Accountability, Discipline, Slowing Down, Observation, and Gratitude. Each of these tools will serve as both a compass and a mirror, guiding you forward and helping you better understand yourself along the way.
1. Focus: Cut through the noise
In this age of endless distractions, Focus is your superpower. It’s about presence, not just about productivity. When you are focused, you reclaim not only your time, but your mind and your energy. Your next step is to start setting higher goals and to choose what matters instead of letting the world choose for you. If you are really ready to change your life, then start by focusing on what you truly want, go for that goal, and eliminate whatever doesn’t serve it.
Try this tip: Set a timer for 25 minutes and commit fully to one task. No notifications. No multitasking. Just pure, uninterrupted attention.
2. Accountability: The mirror of integrity
We grow faster when someone’s watching, not to judge, but to remind us of who we said we wanted to be. Accountability isn’t driven by guilt; it’s about alignment. Whether it’s a friend, a coach, or a personal journal, having a system that reflects your promises back to you keeps you honest with yourself. Holding yourself accountable may not always be easy without having someone to check in with. Make sure this is someone you trust fully. Be honest with yourself when faced with positive criticism. Learn from what has been said instead of becoming defensive, and use it to grow.
Try this tip: Share your goals with someone you trust. Ask them to check in weekly, or better yet, become accountability partners. Learn from one another and grow together.
3. Discipline: The bridge between goals and growth
We are only human and not perfect, so motivation comes and goes. Discipline stays. It’s the quiet force that shows up when you don’t feel like it. Discipline teaches you to trust yourself. Discipline teaches you to act not based on how you feel, but on who you are becoming. It builds resilience, self-respect, and results. It is important to understand that discipline is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Remember to be kind to yourself and when you fall short, give yourself grace, learn from the failure, and start again.
Try this tip: Pick one non-negotiable habit that you want to work on and be more consistent with. It may be small but meaningful (e.g., journaling, exercise, reading). Start slow. Give yourself a 30-day challenge. Do it every day, for those 30 days, no matter what. Even if you miss or fail, be kind to yourself and learn from the mistake, and get back to it.
4. Slow down: The secret to going further
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. It is easy to get caught up in the rat race mentality and allow society or social media to dictate your pace, even if we know better, but it is important to understand that speed doesn’t equal progress. One thing I have learned in my own journey is that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is pause. Slowing down isn’t laziness; it doesn’t mean you don’t care or that you are lost. A pause is not quitting, it’s wisdom. When you slow down, it gives you room to think, feel, and choose consciously. Sometimes it can feel like you are not being productive enough, and that is the ego trying to control the situation. When we realize this and just press pause, it invites reflection, and it's that reflection you need to find your direction.
Try this tip: Once a day, for the next 30 days, stop and take five slow, conscious breaths. No agenda. Just be. Notice how your body feels, what your mind is doing, and how the world softens.
5. Observe: Learn to witness without judgment
Observation turns chaos into clarity. Many times, we do not want to really look at ourselves because we are afraid of what we might see. Observation is not meant to be judgmental; it is meant to be a lesson. It is meant to show us both our progress and faults, and it will show us what needs to change and how or when we need to adapt when things are not working. When you observe (without judgment) rather than react, you gain clarity, and you can now shift from being controlled by your thoughts and emotions to learning from them. It’s the foundation of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Try this: Next time you’re triggered or stressed, pause and say: “I notice I’m feeling.” Name the emotion. Then ask, “What’s underneath this?” Be honest with yourself and sit with it for a bit. Once you understand the underlying issue, you can adapt accordingly.
6. Gratitude: The antidote to lack
Gratitude shifts your perspective from scarcity to abundance. It softens the edges of hard days and amplifies the beauty in ordinary moments. When you practice gratitude, you train your brain to look for what’s right instead of what’s wrong. This is especially important when you are experiencing those tough times that appear to have no end. Even though it is easier said than done, it is not impossible to look beyond the rough patch and know that every rough point has an end. Remember “this too shall pass”.
Try this: Write down three things you’re grateful for every night. Be specific. Gratitude grows where you water it.
The takeaway: These tools are already within you
I want to be very clear, these aren’t hacks, they’re practices. Lifelong ones. They don’t require perfection, just intention. You don’t need to master them all at once. Just start where you are. Choose one. Begin there. Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint. You do not have to do it all at once, and when you fall short, remember it's ok to fail. That’s how you learn. Be kind to yourself and keep going.
In time, you’ll find that: focus sharpens your path, accountability keeps you honest, discipline carries you through, slowing down reveals what matters, observation teaches you to understand, and gratitude reminds you that you already have so much.
Read more from Andrew Murphy
Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified ACT/CBT mindset self-worth coach. He is the owner and founder of Level Up Coaching & Consulting.
He specializes in helping clients with developing a deeper sense of self-worth and a better understanding of who they are and want to become.
Dru's unique and effective coaching style is what sets him apart from other coaches.
Not only will he support and guide his clients along their personal development journey, but he will also hold them accountable and demand discipline.
