Could the success of your business hinge on the random thoughts that fill your head? What if you could actually control your success in life by harnessing those random thoughts?
Talk to any sports psychologist and they’ll tell you that the internal dialogue running through a person’s mind can be the difference between an elite athlete and a talented amateur. It’s the difference between winning and losing.
The conversations we have with ourselves can be some of the most crucial conversations we have, setting the course of our emotions and, ultimately, our actions.
But how can talking to yourself really help your business?
People who frame these questions in their minds in a positive, careful way – replacing negative emotions with more upbeat ones – feel more in control and have more perspective than those who don’t
According to Dr. Adam Fraser, an expert on human health and performance, ‘self talk’ can have a bigger impact on our ability to be successful than any other factor.
“It is often said that if you talk to yourself you are crazy, but the reality is that you would be crazy not to talk to yourself more often,” Dr. Fraser says.
Dr. Fraser uses the example of the person who, having resolved to go on a health kick, greets the early morning alarm with thoughts of: ‘it’s cold outside… I deserve a rest… putting off exercise for a day won’t hurt me’.
“These thoughts evoke the emotions of apathy, sadness and fatigue, which actually cause us to stay in bed,” he says.
Compare this with the person whose internal monologue, while perhaps acknowledging it is hard to get out of bed, focuses on how good they’ll feel after exercising and the benefits exercise will bring.
“This type of thinking leads to the emotions of excitement, arousal and happiness, which helps us get out of bed. The inner conversation is the key.”
Dr. Fraser believes these internal conversations also directly impact on the way we conduct our businesses, with negative emotions leading to poor workplace performance.
According to Dr. Fraser, our minds try to interpret our experiences in three key ways, asking:
1. Do I have control, or is this experience out of my control?
2. Does this experience have a lasting effect on my life, or is this temporary?
3. Does this experience affect one area of my life, or everything?
People who frame these questions in their minds in a positive, careful way – replacing negative emotions with more upbeat ones – feel more in control and have more perspective than those who don’t.
And its that perspective that will turn the business hurdle that seems like a roadblock into an exciting challenge to overcome… that will see you get out of bed, muster all your energy and stay on target, no matter what.
Control and direct those random voices in your head. Make them work in your favour. Counter negative thoughts with positive… and absolutely drench yourself in the thrill of success.
It really is just about harnessing your mind over matter.
