Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right... Henry Ford
Love this quote. In my mind, nothing sums up mindset like this…
Mind over matter? I know... some people don't believe that it matters what, and maybe more importantly, how you think.
This is not about toxic positivity at all. This is about the moment-to-moment situations you may find yourself in where, for a split second, you can make a choice. Pretty much anytime. Given the option, why wouldn't you choose to think optimistically?
I just got back from a vacation in Northern Ontario and spent most of the time outdoors hiking. While hiking one day in a stunning and pretty rugged provincial park I ran into a group of five women who asked me to take their picture. We started chatting and they told me that they'd been meeting up for about 29 years now to canoe, hike, and up until recently, camp. These women ranged in age from 75 to 88, and they were full-on badass. Not only physically fit, their attitude was inspiring. What struck me about these women is exactly what I'm talking about...mindset. Doing what they do is a no-brainer for them. They come together all the way from BC to remote parts of Ontario and elsewhere....because, as one of them said to me..." this matters, this is important". There's no question about confidence in this group, they defined it.
Mindset.*
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right... HF
How does this relate to growing your confidence?
If you always call to mind the times in your life when you weren't confident then that's what your brain's gonna do...look for evidence to support that thought. That's how the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in your brain works. Whatever you focus on, it'll find evidence to support it
Likewise, if you're able to call to mind times when you were confident and you focus on those experiences then, your brain will accommodate that as well and start looking for more evidence to support that.
It's cool that way.
So here's your thought for today. When you're thinking about something that you want to be, have, or do, check in with your mindset, because if you're already thinking you can't...why bother? Really. Decide to choose possibilities, confidence... choose you. Choose optimism.
Are you ready?
Let's get to it...
Your challenge...
Whether you're working on something new, entering a new phase in your life, or looking for something different, whatever the case may be...it matters how you're thinking.
When your brain starts to take you down the path of self-doubt and fear, here are some suggestions for you:
Pay attention.
Seems obvious but we tend to go to autopilot, well, automatically, so you may not even notice that it's happening. Start to pay attention.
Question yourself.
In your head or out loud. Ask yourself. Is what I'm thinking about this situation and my capabilities really true?
Pause.
Wait for the answer to the question above. If you really pay attention, one will come, usually as a whisper and you may be surprised to find that what you're thinking isn't true at all. It's your autopilot response.
Make the choice.
Yes, "the choice". Decide that you're going to choose an optimistic mindset this time.
Take action.
My favourite way to shift my mindset. Take a step in the direction of that thing you want to have, be, or do.
Repeat.
Often. This is a practice. Be gentle with yourself. That autopilot brain of yours is determined to win. Repetition of this process makes it more likely that you'll eventually be able to interrupt this pattern and gradually, ever so gently, shift your mindset.
This works. I promise. Simple but not easy. It takes commitment and awareness and you don't have to do it alone!
If you want help learning to shift your mindset Contact me I promise you, it will make a huge difference in how you look at the world and definitely grow your confidence!
Warmly,
Ann
*One of the three pillars of my personal confidence recipe.
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right…Henry Ford