You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.

Rumi

Have you ever stopped to think about the power you hold in your mind?

Of course most of us know about the importance of positive thinking but have you ever really thought about how your thoughts weaken you or give you strength and thereby change what you do and who you become as a result?

Some weeks ago, I started writing my first book and for a few days it went well. Then I started doubting myself. I ditched the first attempt and started again. Five attempts later, I was no further forward and decided to shelve the book temporarily and return to online course creation. At first it went well. Then I started doubting myself.

Today, instead of embracing the opportunity to write, I spent the first hour of the day feeling resentful about the upcoming school holidays because the time off puts pressure on me.

But the holidays aren’t putting pressure on me.

I am putting pressure on me and I am casting doubts and judging myself.

All of it is in my head. Literally. All of it.

To keep changing my life for the better, I have to remember to keep using the power of my thoughts. I have to change my mind.

Changing my mind

Realising I was the author of my stress, I decided to make a change. Here are the steps I followed this morning:

1. Seek inspiration – I listened to a podcast but often find books, audiobooks, blogs and other material useful. I find it best to pick something that directly addresses the challenge you’re facing so you can bring about the shift in perspective.
2. Examine the process – I regularly set goals and, when doubt creeps in, I change direction and start working on something else. My process leads me to start many things and finish very few things, which ultimately leads to more self doubt. Since I’m starting a business and am ALWAYS unsure of the best next step, what I actually need is a process to keep me moving through he doubt rather than merely a process to keep me moving.

We don’t rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our systems.

James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

 This morning I took time to examine my process. I looked at ways to ensure I habitually upgrade my thoughts and maintain my resilience – not in general but specifically when it comes to staying the course with difficult projects when I doubt myself.

3. Record the lesson – Life moves fast and sometimes it takes a few attempts before you learn a lesson well enough to use it successfully. On days like today, I record my thoughts in a journal or video diary (or this blog). Doing this helps me turn the lesson into something quite logical and also helps me remember it better so I can use it again when I need to.

With that done, I feel refreshed and motivated. My thoughts are flowing with me rather than against me and I’m ready to get to work.

How might your day change with a change in thought?

Header Image Credit: Xan Griffin on Unsplash