Why sharp thinking disappears (and how to get it back)

Hey Resilient Leader,

This week in the Confidence Rewired series, I introduced the BLAST method: a five-step system I use to reset my confidence when stress takes over.

I’ve used this before walking into board meetings, after difficult team conversations, and when I’m buried under competing priorities. It’s quick. It’s practical. 

And more importantly, it works because it’s grounded in neuroscience, not guesswork.

Here’s what’s happening under the surface:
When your environment demands more than your brain can process, the prefrontal cortex, your internal HQ for focus, emotional regulation, and decision-making, starts to go offline. 

We’re going beyond positive thinking to understand why your nervous system is reaching its capacity.

That’s why the BLAST method is designed to bring the system back online in under five minutes.

Breathe:
The two-part “physiological sigh” isn’t just calming, it’s proven.
Research from Dr. Andrew Huberman at Stanford shows that it activates the parasympathetic nervous system more quickly than other breathing techniques. It sends the message: we're safe now.

That’s what helps your thinking reset.

Leave your seat:
Movement increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain, without adding cognitive load. Even 2–5 minutes of stretching or walking can break the fog.

Affirm:
Speaking to yourself in the third person creates a sense of distance from the emotional swirl. Studies in self-distancing show it helps shift your perspective and reduce overreaction, giving you access to clarity again.

Shield:
When you recall a personal win, your brain lights up its reward network. This reactivates motivation and resilience, especially important during moments of doubt.

Track:
Naming what triggered the stress, how you responded, and how you recovered helps your brain build a recovery loop. That’s where the real rewiring happens.

This method isn't about powering through (that’s the mistake I used to make).

Resilient Leader Pro Tip: Your system returns to balance, allowing your confidence to become steady, even when the pressure remains high.

If you’ve felt mentally scattered before big decisions, try BLAST the next time the fog creeps in.

A Senior Manager at a Fortune 500 company told me last week:

That’s what a science-backed system can do!