Master Your Mindset and Radically Improve Your Life
The Law of Mind
What you think, you create;
What you feel, you attract;
What you imagine, you become.
This is often falsely attributed to the Buddha, but it was probably first stated by Joseph Murphy in his book The Power of the Subconscious Mind.
Regardless of its origin, this saying is one to reflect on. It points out the importance of your thoughts and your mindset, the origin of the kinds of thoughts you have. Consider that almost everything you see began as a thought whether it’s your car or your cell phone. The power of thought and imagination cannot be denied. As Bob Proctor, entrepreneur and counselor said, “Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand.”
Think about it this way. If you’ve ever woken up dreading something in your day, lacking energy, or just feeling meh, what happened? You probably had a less than stellar experience. Your mindset helped to create your reality. On the other hand, if you woke up excited and ready to meet the day, your expectations helped set you up for success.
There is a lot of talk about positive mindset and its benefits. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you must always be positive. There are times when you do have to feel negative emotions. Denying them can lead to toxic positivity, which can lead to depression, communication problems, and social isolation. Just don’t get bogged down in the negative. Acknowledge your feelings, let go of their hold on you, and move on.
So why is mindset important? Thinking of the quotes at the beginning of this post, your mindset creates your reality and your life experiences. Your mindset sets the stage for your success.It helps you form healthy self-esteem, face adversity, and achieve your goals.
Another current discussion surrounds growth vs. fixed mindsets. Growth mindset is the belief that you can improve on your talents and abilities, those with fixed mindsets think that how you are is how you are. Look at your self-talk. What are your thoughts telling you? Are you saying, “I’m going to try , even though I’ve never done this before” or “I’m not good at something like this, what’s the use in trying?” Creating and maintaining a positive or growth mindset can help you be more successful and content with your life.
If you do tend toward more negative self-talk, don’t give up. Think of your friends and how you talk to them. Do you encourage and lift them up? Now, try it on yourself. Surround yourself with people who are positive and encouraging, too. If you’re still struggling, consider a gratitude journal. It’s amazing how focusing on the good, even small things like coffee or dark chocolate, can improve your mindset. This TED talk describes the benefits of gratitude.
You can develop a positive mindset. The benefits are well worth it. People with positive mindsets have lower rates of depression, greater longevity, and a greater sense of purpose. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to create a positive mindset.
Author: Brenda Morales