(TEST) All Things Inspired

A positive mindset empowers you to control your circumstances!

Everything we do is about mindset. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed. Everything is up to you! You might not be able to control all the circumstances that affect your life or work, but you can control your emotions, your thoughts, your perception, and how you react to the circumstances in your world. Every moment is up to you! A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.

Again, while we can't always control what happens around us, we can control how we respond. Be aware that there will always be problems that try to impede your progress or the doubters that like to remind you that you aren't capable of success. The problems you face in life really aren't the problem. The problem is your attitude concerning the problem. As for the doubters, when someone tells you "It's impossible", have the mindset that it's impossible for them, but not for you!

As you continue your journey of personal growth, you need to understand that the challenges you face along the path give you the greatest opportunity for lessons learned. As you reflect on the challenges of the past, don't let yourself get sucked into the negatives of our cultural environment today. And with the right mindset you won't. With the right mindset, you can practice what you've learned from your challenges, otherwise, you will learn what you need to practice for improving going forward.

Start now in preparing your mindset for success. Here are seven steps to change your mindset.

Accept the fact that you need to adjust your thinking: We've all had goals and dreams that didn't work out. When you recognize this to be a pattern, it should become a trigger for you to look at change. By human nature, rarely do we look inside at our own thinking as the place to start making changes. Adjust your thinking and create a new winning mindset.
Identify mindset distractors: Prior experiences, physical or emotional, tend to be what forms our mindset. The ones that aren't producing the results you want can be referred to as counter-mindsets. These would include self-doubting or self-esteem, not believing in yourself, and any other negative thoughts that distract you from reality. You must try to recognize when this occurs and consciously refocus on the positive mindset.
Flip the switch: Once you've identified your distractors that produce negative thoughts, you need a way to stop them from holding you back. The best technique for this is called "flipping the switch", which moves thoughts from negative to positive.
Duplicate other's success: Search for examples of other people who have developed a growth mindset. You can start by talking to family, your friends, and colleagues about having a positive mindset. These are typically the types of people who will support your effort to improve. Look for success stories in human interest news that reflect upon having a positive mindset.
Understand your "why": Changing your mindset takes work because formed habits aren't easy to break. Most of your harmful habits that lead to experiencing counter-mindsets began when you were a child. And as human nature would have it, you most likely have repeated the cycle of doing the same things over and over again. Understanding your "why" is a fresh start toward a transforming change.
Start small - finish big: One of the best ways to change your mindset and realize your dream is through setting ridiculously tiny, utterly achievable goals. How tiny? You must decide. Start with a small step and build momentum with each success.
Get comfortable with the "F" word (not that "F" word): The previous steps for how to change your mindset will help you move forward with confidence toward achieving more of your goals and dreams. However, it's critical to understand that it will be hard work. That's why high achievers are comfortable with the F word; failure. You will encounter obstacles and failures along the way. Mentally prepare for this and it will change your thinking. It won't be scary, and you won't give up! Fail-Adjust-Get back on your feet!

Start today with a positive, winning mindset! Be patient with yourself as it will take time to completely change your mindset. How long do you say? It could take weeks or even months depending on how deeply embedded the attitude is that you want to change, along with your own limiting beliefs. Stay the course and be committed each day to changing your mindset for the good. Next week we'll follow up on these 7 steps to change the mindset.

Be inspired! Inspire others!