The Key to Change

Think about it.

Nothing great is ever achieved without change. If I want to lose weight, I need to change the way I eat. If I want to get stronger, I need to change the way I exercise. And if I want to improve just about anything in my life, I need to change the way I think.

You see, our lives are determined by our actions, and our actions are determined by the way we think. Our perspective on things is what drives the words we use, the steps we take, and ultimately the outcomes we realize. Change the way you think about your circumstances, your skill set, your family, your coworkers … you name it … and you start to see real change.

For example, take the thought process we go through when asked a question we don’t know the answer to. Most people think “I don’t know,” and that’s exactly what comes out of their mouth. What if instead of “I don’t know,” your mental response was “I don’t know…yet?” How would that impact your verbal response and your subsequent behavior?

I bet several things would change. You’d be more likely to follow up and learn something new. You’d probably have a more meaningful conversation with your customer. And you’d probably enjoy a stronger relationship with them going forward – all from simply changing your perspective on the situation.

Here are a few other mind shifts to try out:

Instead of “I give up,” think “I will try a different strategy.”
Instead of I can’t do this,” think “I’m going to train my brain.”
Instead of “This is too hard,” think “This might take a little time and effort.”
Instead of “I’m not good at this,” think “What am I missing?”
Instead of “I messed up,” think “Mistakes help me learn.”

As with any significant change, shifting the way you think isn’t easy. It takes a while. You have to be intentional about it. You have to target the change you want to see and practice it diligently until it becomes a habit. Identify systems and resources that help guide your mind in the direction you want it to go.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer