Your mind constantly shifts between the inner world and the outer world.
At one moment, you may be remembering a conversation or imagining the future. A second later, a sound, sensation, or important task pulls you back into the present moment and forces you to act.
This mental flexibility depends on a process called “network switching.” When something captures your attention, the Salience Network helps coordinate shifts between internally-directed reflection and goal-direction action.
This flexible switching helps you stay balanced between doing and reflecting. It helps you act, reflect, process, and adjust so you can accomplish your goals.
For instance, you might be lost in thought when a meaningful event brings you back to the present. You may then evaluate the situation and act accordingly. Minutes later, you may reflect on what happened and plan differently next time.
During the day, your brain may continually switch you to “reflection mode” or “action mode” depending on what the moment requires. Problems can arise when the brain has difficulty shifting flexibly between reflection and action, leaving you stuck in repetitive thought or prolonged task engagement.
The Salience Method helps you balance your brain networks so that network switching is flexible, dynamic, and helpful. The goal is to move between reflection and action (and vice-versa) more consciously and recognize when you’re stuck.