Mindset
The Power of the Mind
I’ve recently been studying the teachings of Andrew Carnegie and Earl Nightingale, the god fathers of personal development.
One message has resonated loud and clear and that is the power of our minds. Our minds are all consuming so what we feed it and what we allow it to say to us is of utmost importance. Nightingale often references that we “literally become what we think about.” Both thought leaders share the importance of directing our mind in a way that serves us since our minds guide our lives.
Look for the Good
Yes, there is so much negativity, turmoil and evil in the world however there is also an abundance of good! Just look at the spring weather, see the changes and the wonder that is taking place this month. Consider your health, you woke up today when so many didn’t. We can have our minds focused on surveying the horizon for all the good or we can look for the bad. Both with change the lens through which we experience life. I’d rather see the good!
Look for Opportunities
Nightingale talks about the infamous “acres of diamonds”, which are all around us. He explains that a gentleman in South Africa owned a farm and left his farm in search of diamonds when he heard that so many of his friends were on a pursuit for riches. When his life didn’t turn out the way he wanted, he ended his life and threw himself in a river. When he sold the land that he originally owned, it turned out that the new owner uncovered a lump of coal that once examined was a diamond! And so, the sad story goes that the original farmer was literally sitting on his own acres of diamonds his entire life and didn’t know it! We do this in business, always chasing the next best thing when we have acres of diamonds in our own database of clients and connections that could send us an endless stream of referrals. Often our coals are all that we see but once we care for them, we uncover they are in fact diamonds and our potential is limitless!
Limit the news and negative influences
News stations have one job and one job only. Sell. What sells? Things that captivate, terrify, and jolt us to attention. Do yourself the biggest favour of your life and limit the news for one week and see what happens to your mental and physical health. Replace the news and negative influences with positive and inspiring podcasts. Follow mentors who are out there making a difference inspiring other to grow. One mentor that I listen to always says that the difference makers are the ones being interviewed by news media, not consumed by it!
Focus on future you
Shift your focus from your current situation to a more optimistic and promising future you. Describe what that ideal life, job, or body looks like. Then go to work and craft a plan. What is the first move that will get you closer to that future version of you? Meditate on that visualization each day. Get your mind in a place where you can see yourself there. What do things sound like, smell like, what do you hear in the background? What are you wearing, where do you live? Future casting can be an incredible way to feed you mind with the positive and shift from the negative. Your brain will then do this marvelous thing where it will look for people and circumstances to fulfill those visions and make your dreams a reality.
Positive People
In addition to nourishing your mind with positive thoughts, motivational podcasts and inspirational books and mentors, surround yourself with high quality and positive people. If you have no idea where to start, why not join our Feel Good Friday Zoom calls over at Sigma Promotions? There’s no charge for this and you’ll have the best lunch hour of your week surrounded by growth-oriented people who want to see you WIN! https://sigmapromotions.com/sigmapromotespositivity/
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones
We’ve heard the expression that old habits die hard. Why not kickstart your positive habits by actively monitoring the negative thoughts you have, but also the way in which you speak to yourself. Often, I hear people say things to themselves they would never dare say to another human. Guilty as charged! I had to replace my self-deprecating thoughts with positive ones to take things to the next level. I’m a work in progress but I’m intentional each day to reach out the person that I strive to become!
There is a plethora of golden nuggets to be uncovered listening to the original personal development leaders. If you really want to ramp things up, listen to “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale and share your biggest insights below!
