What does that really mean? 

This is probably a term that you have heard numerous times.  Coaches, doctors, mentors, parents, teachers all use that phrase but what does that mean?  Does it mean that you just think positive and everything in your life will be successful?  Yes and no.  You won’t become a millionaire by just thinking that you are one but thinking LIKE one will certainly impact the choices you make. 

I am going to delve into the meaning of “mindset is everything” and explain how you can use your mindset to greatly impact your level of happiness or success.

What your mindset is made of 

When people say that “mindset is everything”, what they are really saying is that your mindset, or what you think, is the foundation of everything in your world.  Your mindset is the guiding force behind your decisions and the actions you take or don’t take.  Your mindset is made up of your beliefs, your thoughts, and your feelings.  It is all those things that will determine your action in everyday life.  If your mindset is sugar and spice and everything nice, your reality will most likely be positive.  On the other hand, if your mindset is snips and snails and puppy dog tails, your reality will most likely be negative. Just like we are what we eat, we are also what we think.

Your Mindset has tangible consequences 

Think about a time in your life where you didn’t feel confident about something.  For this example, let’s say it was a time when you had to stand in front of a group and give a speech or presentation.  Your confidence level determined your thought process.  What if your thoughts were “I’m not good speaking in front of people” or “I totally got this and will rock this presentation”?  Which one do you think will have the better outcome?  Deep down, notice that your mindset started with a feeling or a thought.  And notice how that thought will lead to an actual outcome – positive or negative.  Your mindset is powerful.  Your mindset determines what your reality is. Your mindset will determine if the tangible consequences are positive or negative.  Mindset is that powerful.

Changing your mindset to be proactive and not reactive 

Approaching mindset proactively and not reactively is key.  Instead of waiting for that event that will trigger the thoughts and emotions that lead to negative mindset, we can work on our mindset proactively every day.  Yes, every day!  By working on a positive mindset daily, you are storing all the positive as a “buffer” of sorts, so that when life sneaks up on you, you don’t automatically go into that negative mindset.  It will cause your mindset to look for the positive in any situation. 

There are many different practices that you can implement to start leaning more into positivity rather than negativity.  I will outline my absolute favorite below.

Gratitude Journaling

I am not kidding when I say that Gratitude Journaling will result in some pretty immediate changes.  I incorporate gratitude journaling at the end of my day, but I know others that do it in the mornings or even throughout their day.  Gratitude journaling is simply what it implies.  It is keeping a daily journal of at least five things that occurred throughout your day that you are grateful for.  It could be as simple as seeing a butterfly or getting an unexpected hug from a loved one.  It might be the thanks you received for helping a co-worker or the smile you received from the stranger at the grocery store.  It is looking for the little things in life that we all take for granted when we aren’t looking for them.  I challenge you to find 5 new and different things every day.  Doing this will change your outlook quickly.  It shifts your mindset to see the beauty in things that we normally take for granted.  It shifts your mindset to the positive.  You will quickly start to see the positive in things that would have previously been negative.  

I challenge you today to start gratitude journaling and see how quickly your mindset changes which will ultimately change your reality.  

In closing, I will leave you with this thought:

     “No amount of regret changes the past.  No amount of anxiety changes the future.  But ANY amount of gratitude changes the present.”

Your Next Step

If this article is interesting to you and you want to LEARN MORE, Book A Call With Kim Backenstoes NOW HERE (717) 695-6177