Self Improvement – Change Your Mindset
Step 1: Realization
The past few months I’ve been putting a lot of effort into learning how to change my perspective and gain more control over my life and my mindset. For the most part, I believed that life just happens and then I react to it by learned behavior which, eventually became instinctual over time. These habitual behaviors molded every detail of my personality until I became who I am. Hold up! What if I don’t like every part of who I am? How do I change? Is it too late?
It takes action to shape our thought patterns. Eventually, once our beliefs are built into the foundation of our beings, our reactions and mindset are called upon seemingly without conscious thought. That once preliminary active thought that shaped our beliefs becomes instinctual allowing us to live our lives in autopilot, reacting and calling up emotion with minimal effort. In order to change our subconscious autopilot programs, we need to wake up and put serious effort into consciously altering our thoughts.
It takes reverting back to active thought to change our mindset and our reactions.
The first step in changing our mindset: Realization.
Figuring out the nuances of our behaviors and our thought processes that we aren’t so keen on, is the realization component and first step to change. For example, I complain a lot and let’s get real, no one wants to listen to someone else bitch and moan. I get it, but does that stop me? Not so much. Why? Because I formed a habit of repetitive thought that eventually has nowhere to go but out of my mouth. The enlightenment here is first the complaints were thoughts and then the thoughts became words. Ive realized that if I want to stop complaining then I need to adjust my way of thinking that is so deeply engrained into my brain.
Changing thought patterns takes the same repetitive practice it took to originally form them.
Let’s get back to the complaining. I am well aware, life happens, and we deserve to spend some time processing through the not so fair parts of life. What happens though when we wallow? We get stuck. That one unfair situation that happened catapulted into a slew of horrible circumstance. One unfortunate event turns into another and pretty soon we are stuck because we are allowing our circumstances define us. Negativity breads more negativity. How do we put an end to negativity?
Stop wallowing!!! Grieve. Process. Let go!!
If you don’t process your sorrow, fear, anger and resentment and then let it go, the weight you are bearing defines you and suddenly everything around you becomes gloom. You and I have something in common. We have a choice. We can choose to wallow, or we can choose to move on.
Does it feel good to wallow? Maybe. Maybe because we hope to gain some pity from others. Our friends and family, the ears we lend to ramble on, tend to get pretty tired of hearing about our constant misfortunes. Negativity breads more negativity. That could mean positivity breads more positivity which feels so much better, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it becomes such a natural and comfortable state to feel upset, sad, powerless and out of control that when we try to change our mindsets, our brain fights back, because it feels out of its normal realm of comfortability. When resistance occurs, we must continue to push past it. This sort of conscious mental activity takes strength and determination. If you lack the passion to get past your weaknesses, then it will be quite difficult to believe you can achieve a healthier state of being. Instead of being defined by circumstance we must alternatively create our state of being from the inside and stop letting what happens in the outside world control our happiness.
In a conscious effort of self-betterment, I have decided to flood my conscious with continuous messaging on how to reinforce my goal of becoming a more positive person. Perception is reality; if we can start thinking more positive thoughts, then we will attract a better outcome.
Here is a list of my “Arsenal of Change” material which have had a profound effect on my mental state:
Books
- Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza – This is my #1 recommended book if you had to choose just one of these suggestions. Dr. Dispenza thoroughly explains how we are not limited by our genes; we in fact have the scientifically proven capabilities to change any areas of our life. Tying in quantum physics, epigenetics, neuroscience and brain chemistry, this book “bridges the gap between science and spirituality.” If you want to learn how to change your mindset, different aspects of your personality or your overall outcome in life, then Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself is a must read!
- Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton – When I first started learning about the power of the mind, I chose to start my learnings with Biology of Belief so I could understand epigenetics and gain a grasp on a scientific, cellular level how the environment alters our genes. Biology of Belief explains on a biochemical level how all of our cells are affected by our thoughts. This read provides a strong base to understanding how powerful our minds are.
- You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero– A sassy, easily relatable, self-help improvement book with practicable tips that are applicable in everyday life to inspire change. I found You Are a Badass to be just the push I needed to start changing my mindset and realize I have the power to change my life in any way I desire.
- Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck – Important teachings on how to apply a Zen approach to every day life situations. Everyday Zen offers a practical view on how not to sweat the small and the big stuff because exerting negative energy releases chemicals that cause stress and illness.
- The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, MD – With a focus on neuroplasticity, this book is a collection of powerful life changing stories demonstrating how our brain’s do have the incredible capability to re-fire and re-wire new synaptic connections.
Netflix Movies
- Heal
- The Secret
You Tube Videos
If you want to make a change in your mindset, take some time to reflect on exactly what thoughts and behaviors you aspire to adjust, because the first step is: realization. Proceeding coming to terms with your faults is: action. When you are ready to take action, start with the “Arsenal of Change” recommendations to fuel your determination and set yourself into motion. Get ready to dig into the subconscious to change your outcome for the better!
