“If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always gotten?”
I am sure you are familiar with this phrase, and probably said it to someone. When you boil it down to its root it really means:
If you keep thinking the same thoughts, you will keep getting the same results.
I have come to understand the all-encompassing power of thoughts, thought patterns, and sequences.
Do you recognize any of the following judgemental thoughts?
Of Self:
- I can never get to my priorities because I keep getting interrupted to handle other people’s challenges.
- Just when I see light at the end of the tunnel, another curve ball comes my way.
- Things are ok now, but when will the other shoe drop?
Of Others:
- My Team is struggling to keep up with expectations.
- If I delegate this task, I am sure my Team couldn’t handle more right now.
- Some Team Members do the minimum, they never go beyond.
Of Circumstances:
- Senior Management doesn’t get it, they don’t realize what we are dealing with on a daily basis.
- We don’t have enough time or money to do a really good job, it is only good enough.
- The economy/supply chain/customer demands (fill in your situation) make it impossible for us to meet revenue targets.
I wrote these example ‘thoughts and scenarios’ in a matter of minutes because they are very familiar. I hear them all the time from Leaders. And most times, they don’t realize how these judgements continuously recreate the very challenge they are frustrated with handling.
What is your mind thinking as you drive to work? Or when you see your Manager/Team Member/Customer as you walk into the meeting or onto the shop floor, how is your mind preparing for the interaction? Do you know? You need to know because:
Your thoughts make your reality!
You get what you expect!
If you believe it to be true, it is!
It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy!
You know these phrases; they are common in our day-to-day responses. But what do they really mean? More importantly, how can we change: our expectations; our beliefs; or get a more desirable self-fulling prophecy?
There is an answer, and it is quite simple; easy…not so much.
But if it were easy, you would have done it already. We have spent years ignoring the power of our negative thought patterns, and it will take time, support, and training to develop new, positive, and productive patterns.
It requires:
- Attention
Listen to your thoughts and recognize them for what they are. Are they negative and limiting or positive and full of potential? When they are negative, they need to be quarantined. Label them as negative and set them aside. If you allow them to dominate and persist, they will create your reality today.
- Intention
Instruct your mind to create positive messages and outcomes. Imagine having enough time, money, energy, authority, commitment, and enthusiasm to create the best possible products, design, and outcomes. When you put the same amount of energy into your thoughts, you will create results that match.
- Training
Mental fitness is the same as physical fitness, it takes consistent practice. Dedicated time, 2-5 minutes a couple of times a day, quieting the inner negative chatter and replacing it with positive thoughts and strategies.
You can do it! We can help!