Your mind is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. However, depending on how you use it, it can also be one of the most destructive things in your life. As the saying goes, what you focus on grows. If you dwell on negative experiences or worry about what might go wrong, you’ll end up feeling anxious and stressed. On the other hand, if you choose to focus on positive thoughts and emotions, you can cultivate feelings of happiness and peace. Focusing on the positive doesn’t change the reality of a stressful or less-than-ideal situation. It does, however, shift your focus, so you can approach the situation with more peace, clarity, and forward-thinking, leading to a better outcome. Here’s how the concept of what you focus on grows actually works.
Putting What You Focus on Grows into Practice
What you focus on grows isn’t just a catchy saying or feel-good quote. It actually works. Here is how your focus can change your outcome in a professional and personal way.
In Your Job: Say, for example, you’re problem-solving a work issue. If you focus your attention on the problem, it can seem to grow and become more complex. However, if you choose to focus on possible solutions, it’s easier to find an effective way to resolve the issue. We are hard-wired to identify problems and critical thinking–at its best–includes a big dose of creativity and openness to new ideas. If all we focus on are the problems, unfortunately, we won’t get very far in creating new ideas and solutions. If you’re focusing on the problem, your brain will find more problems. If you shift your focus to the solution, it may just help you find the breakthrough you need. Sometimes, all it takes to get the creative juices flowing is getting up and moving your body to shift your focus to something that brings you joy!
In Your Relationships: Say, for example, you and your significant other have been arguing for the past week and can’t seem to find common ground. You want to find a point of connection, but all you can think about is how disconnected you are. Focusing on feelings of disconnection is not going to create feelings of connection. However, if you actively manage your mind and choose to think about the good things in your relationship, your partner, and where you do see eye-to-eye, feelings of connectedness will begin to grow. You can also try having images of beauty and positive memories close at hand to shift your focus to the positive while problem-solving.
This is such an encouraging reality because it means you can change your life for the better by shifting your focus and thinking good, positive, motivating, and beneficial thoughts. With these thoughts as your foundation, you can cultivate feelings of happiness and peace. Then, when it’s time to make hard decisions or important choices, you’re doing so with a positive, healthy state of mind. In other words, circumstances do not have to rule over you. By practicing where you focus your mindset, you can see challenges as opportunities with curiosity, learning, and growth.
6 Ways to Shift Your Focus on the Daily
Though it may not always feel like it, you have the power to choose what you think and where you direct your focus. Consequently, where you put your attention shapes your life experience. If you’re unhappy with your current circumstances, it may be time to shift your focus. Now, this is way easier said than done, especially if you have a habit of letting your mind live in the negative, as many of us do. The good news is that you can train your brain to focus on the positive in these six simple yet effective ways.
1. Set Priorities
It’s easier to think thoughts and make decisions that align with your goals when you have a clear idea of what’s important to you. That’s why it’s essential to connect with your true self. Knowing who you are and your why for life helps you focus on what the priorities are in any given situation. Do you know what living “on purpose” looks like for you? If not, now is the time to gain clarity on what’s important to you so that you can shift your focus to those things.
2. Be Present
It’s easy to get caught up worrying about the future or regretting the past. But by living in the present moment, you can focus on what matters most right now. Focusing on the past won’t change it. Instead, it can have the power to make you feel regret, shame, sadness, or anger about yourself, and that’s not helpful. Focusing on the future won’t will it, but it may distract you from reality, and that’s not beneficial either. Instead, when you focus on the present moment and learn how to pause, reframe, and choose thoughts that will help you move toward the future you want, so many new possibilities become clear.
3. Reflect on Your Life
While you shouldn’t “live in the past,” it is essential to reflect on what’s happening in your life because the past is a helpful teacher. When you do this with compassion, you can analyze what’s going well and identify areas you want to change by shifting your focus and adjusting your thoughts to achieve your desired outcome. Meditation is a powerful exercise to help guide you to the learning needed in these reflective moments. The truth is, all you have is right now, and you are the co-creator of the life you want to experience. So, quiet the noise and distractions and make room for meaningful reflections to find joy in the life you have right now and long into the future.
4. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is the fastest way to shift focus and welcome positivity. Making a list of things you’re grateful for, and referring to it often, is a great way to change your life for the better. Because what you focus on grows, you’ll experience more peace, joy, and a heart full of appreciation when you focus on gratitude. We are all here to live a wonderful adventure and create a world full of more joy and love, and I believe it starts with gratitude.
5. Intentionally Invest Time and Energy
Where you invest your energy and how you spend your time impacts your quality of life. For example, spending your time in an unhealthy relationship or investing in a job you hate won’t lead to a positive, healthy, happy life. Instead, bring more intention to where you put your energy and spend your time. This can start with a simple exercise: spend a few days keeping a log that focuses on where you spent your time and what that energy felt like. From here, you can begin to identify where you need to adjust when it comes to who and where you place your energy. Bring renewed focus to daily life!
Practice “impeccable speech,” which starts with your own internal dialog. Bring focus to how you’re talking to yourself and others. If the conversation you have with yourself is negative and judgemental, you won’t have the energy and compassion to give positivity to others. By creating an inventory of what’s working and what’s not, you can begin to create a higher level of awareness that will lead to spending your time and energy in the places that are life-giving and full of joy.
6. Celebrate All Successes
It’s easy to celebrate the big successes, but don’t forget to praise your small accomplishments too. After all, it’s the little successes that often lead to bigger ones. And when you focus on your successes, no matter how small, those positive feelings of accomplishment will grow and help you achieve even bigger things. A great way to celebrate your success is with mantras and affirmations to focus on the small wins and meaningful moments. Keep your focus on the good stuff with daily affirmations that help you keep your eye on the prize!
Are You Ready to Change Your Thoughts to Change Your Life?
Your mind has the power to influence your life for the better or worse, and the choice is up to you. Shifting your focus in this way takes practice, and change always happens in small steps with repetition. I truly believe that what you focus on grows. And as your life coach, I am prepared to help you focus on creating a life that truly works for YOU.
Neuroscience continues to teach us how adaptable the mind can be. Awareness is the first step, then compassion for self and repetitions of kindness toward self and others. It’s a ripple effect that will significantly impact your life and the people and communities around you. Together we can make positive shifts.
If you want to learn more about how to do this, I would love to chat with you and see if life coaching is the next best step in your journey. Contact me today to learn more about my services and how I can help you learn how to shift your focus to change your life!
Amy, this is so great! Thank you, as always, for your tip and tricks to look at things in a different perspective and mindset! I am grateful for your words!