How to Change Your Mindset

Step one is simply to acknowledge that you’re going to work on your mindsets first.

Around 65,000 thoughts go through our minds each day. Unfortunately, in the case of most people, the majority of them are negative. These “Automatic Negative Thoughts” (ANTs) occur so often that you’re probably not even aware of them (most of us aren’t).

The way to start exterminating the ANTs in your head is to begin paying attention to them. Notice when you hear that disparaging voice, and recognize how frequently it happens.

Taking note of this is a major step because we can’t change what we haven’t acknowledged.

Once you’ve identified your top negative thoughts, you need a way to stop them from holding you back.

Often, just taking one positive step in the right direction is enough to shut those ANTs up. Prepare yourself by concentrating on replacing your negative thoughts. Put more emphasis on things you find positive and reaffirming.

Changing your mindsets takes work because formed habits aren’t easy to break.

Understanding your “why” is about starting fresh and deciding on one goal or dream that, when you achieve it, will mean a transformational change. Losing weight. Being happier at work. Improving your relationship with your companion. Identify something that could make a huge impact in your life.

Once you identify what your “why” is, write down on paper or in a notebook why it really matters to you. Not on a computer… on paper in your own handwriting. This is an important part of building your motivation.

Most people incorrectly believe that motivation and willpower are all that’s needed to achieve their goals. And no wonder they do, since it’s common advice you hear from friends and family to motivation gurus and life coaches.

By accepting this fact, you’ll stop mentally punishing yourself for stumbling or failing to stick to your plan–which will leave you emotionally freer to optimistically try again tomorrow!

This may sound counter-intuitive, but one of the best ways to change your mindsets and realize your dreams is through setting ridiculously tiny, utterly achievable goals.

Decide that your tiny goal is the minimum, and that you can do more if you feel up to it.

A lot of the time, you’ll do more and will feel great because you’re overachieving. Some days you may do the minimum, and you’ll still feel great because you’ve met your goal.

Massive change requires small steps, repeated daily, which create momentum and yield positive cumulative results.

High achievers are comfortable with the F word: FAILURE.

When most people hit a wall, they make an excuse or give up. High achievers realize that the only thing that will keep them from their goals is to stop trying… so they don’t! They know that they’ll encounter obstacles and even fail along the way.

What separates them from the others is that they prepare for failure mentally. They know it’s coming, and it doesn’t scare them or make them give up. When failure happens, they seek feedback and make adjustments to get back in the game.

Changing your mindsets doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by choice, and these 7 steps should help get you on the right track.

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

-Norman Vincent Peale