Brain Power

“What you focus on grows, what you think about expands, and what you dwell upon determines your destiny.”

I wanted to share a small tip that can lead to big changes in your life. I'm sure you've heard the quote above or some version of it and understand the concept but I wanted to dig into some practical applications that I've found helpful.

We often underestimate the power of language and the words we use every day. Look at these two sentences:

1. "I don't have enough money."

2. "I want to make more money."

They are saying the exact same thing but they are going to lead to very different results. Sentence number one is focused on what you are lacking, sentence number 2 is focused on an action and something you can do. It is the tiniest tweak in words but it changes the way your brain interprets those words. If you are constantly thinking you don't have enough, then you will never have enough, it's as simple as that.

Another common example that comes up is around working out. A lot of people go to a gym focused around the need lose weight saying things to themselves like "I am overweight" or "I need to lose 10 lbs". All you are focusing on is what you perceive is wrong that you are trying to fix. Your mind is latched on to that word overweight so that is exactly what you will be. What if instead you went to the gym with the thought of "I am learning a new skill" or "I am working to get healthy". (This is in no way inferring weight has to do with health, that's a whole other post, just trying to find easy to understand examples here.) Now your mind is focused on something fun - learning a new skill, or something you feel will benefit you - better health.

Our brains have extreme super powers that most of us can't even begin to understand. Have you ever made yourself sick? I sure have! I guarantee if you get a scratch in your throat and you ruminate on it and how you know you are getting sick and it's going to be awful, you are going to get sick and it's going to be awful. If instead, you choose to think huh, must just be dry weather today, I'll be fine tomorrow - you will be fine tomorrow.

If all you are doing right now during this COVID epidemic is focusing on how awful it is, how horrible people are who don't believe what you believe and how the econonmy is tanking, then that is the reality you will live in. You will see articles that support those thoughts and you will live in a world where those things are your truth. It doesn't mean those things aren't true (it is awful, people are horrible, and the economy is in the shitter), however it doesn't have to be YOUR truth. Choosing to focus on the positive (time with your family, catching up on sleep, learning to cook), seeking stories of people doing good (there's a TON of them), and the opportunities to start a new career, adjust your current business strategy, or something else you never dreamed of, then those things become your reality.

Play around with this. Think of the words you use around the goals you are setting. Is there a way to frame them so that you are focusing on what you want and not what you are lacking? I am a positive person because I choose to be. Not because I'm naive to the world around me or ignoring the reality of what is hard or scary. I place my attention on exactly what I want more of to create the type of life I desire.