Success Starts in your Mind

Reality is actually a construct within your mind

Your perspective on life is a construct built in your mind, based on your perceptions and beliefs. The mind is constantly adding information from the outside world, finding similarities and categorizing everything. When you then see that object for a second time, your mind is showing you something similar, something that you have created and have accepted as true, which you then accept as the object before you.Now, apply that same statement from an object to a human or animal. We, as humans, take note of similarities in order to categorize and remember. It may be features of a person, characteristics, or a name that is familiar to you. Going one step further, what you perceive to get out of relationships, business deals, and experiences are simply a reflection of the energy you are putting out. If you are struggling to keep your business afloat and you come across as desperate for clients, you may not be adding as many new accounts as you like. Instead of worrying about how you are going to pay your bills, prove to yourself you will pay your bills by being confident and not focusing on the money you will make, but how you will help that client. By switching your focus, you are shifting your mindset from desperate for money, to being in a position where you do not need the money, but desire the need to help your clients as much as possible. This is not to say you do not need the money, you very well may, but to have that mindset is limiting you and holding you back. Focus on helping your clients succeed, and the money will come.

Visualization Can Help to Re-Shape Your Mind

Just how do successful business people and athletes create an edge above their competition? They use visualization, along with practice, to shape their mindset. Sports can be a great metaphor to business. In basketball, when starting out, it is very important to get the basics down; dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense. Once you get your shot form the way that works best for you, you practice it, over and over, building muscle memory to the point where you can catch a ball and shoot, not consciously thinking about what you are doing, but rather letting your reflexes take control and your subconscious mind shoot the ball. Along with practice, visualizing the shot going in is extremely helpful. Imagining yourself in different situations during a game can create a sense of urgency, forcing yourself to make the shot that much more. Visualizing making the winning basket, what it feels like, how the crowd reacts, how your teammates react, how your family, the broadcasters, etc. helps to make the visualization “real” to you. The more “real” it becomes, the more likely you will make it happen in life.

In life, there are two strong characteristics that make up success; visualization and practice. By visualizing what you want, and who you want to become, it becomes real to you. Whether you realize it or not, you are subconsciously working towards goals that you have set for yourself based on how you think of yourself and the situations you are put in. Work to consciously visualize how you would like your life and business to look like, and you are more likely to attain those goals. Success is really nothing more than a reflection of what you consider successful.

Martin Seligman: What Positive Psychology Can Help You Become