Session 1: The Present and the Absent Mind |
Introduction of the concepts of present- and absentmindedness, as well as relating absentmindedness to failure of goal-attainment in everyday life. Introduction of Mindfulness (“body scan”) as a tool to promote present-mindedness. Participants are asked to monitor absentmindedness and to practice mindfulness between sessions |
Session 2: Absentminded Slip-Ups |
Factors which promote or reduce the likelihood of absentminded slip-ups and consequences of such slip-ups are discussed. Participants are asked to continue their monitoring. Mindfulness exercises extended by introduction of a breathing exercise which they are asked to practice between sessions for the remainder of the intervention |
Session 3: The Automatic Pilot |
“The automatic pilot” is introduced as a descriptor of absentmindedness characterized by following existing routines. Discussion of how this may lead to unwanted responses. Participants are asked to log situational factors which increase the chances of slip-ups between sessions |
Session 4: Stop the Automatic Pilot |
“STOPPING!” the automatic pilot is introduced as a strategy for increasing present-mindedness and monitoring current behavior and mental content. “STOPPING!” is practiced between sessions |
Session 5: The Mental Blackboard |
Checking is introduced as a metaphor for working memory and as another key concept for increasing goal-attainment. The notion of limited capacity and the risk of having important information overwritten is emphasized. Checking the content of working memory is introduced along with a shortened breathing exercise in the “STOP!-FOCUS-CHECK” technique |
Session 6: State Your Goal |
Explicitly STATING relevant goals and behaviors is introduced as a strategy to promote retention of goals in working memory. “STOP!-STATE” cycle practiced |
Session 7: Making Decisions |
The concept of goal-conflict is introduced and discussed, as well as practical and emotional consequences. A To-Do list is introduced as an aid both for retention of goals and to alleviate decision-making. Use is incorporated in the “STOP!-STATE” cycle |
Session 8: Splitting Tasks into Subtasks |
Modification of overwhelming tasks by dividing these into manageable subtasks is discussed and practiced using the “STOP!-STATE-SPLIT” technique. Participants are asked to continue practice between sessions |
Session 9: Checking (STOP!) |
Checking, or the concept of adapting current goals and ongoing behavior as a result of changes in the external or internal environment, is discussed and practiced. Content and experiences from the program are summarized |