The reality we have created is a process of our thinking. We can’t change anything if we can’t change our thoughts.
Sometimes changing your life situation isn’t possible – or simply not possible soon enough. You can’t restructure your entire lifestyle in an instant. You can’t make someone else change against his or her will. And you certainly can’t erase the past. So what choices do you have left?
Change your perception, belief or opinion about your life situation. Doing so will help you change your attitude and ultimately allow you to grow beyond the problems and barriers you can’t immediately control. This, of course, takes practice, which is precisely why we’re co-hosting a live training event titled “Think Better, Live Better 2020” – to guide you step-by-step through mental strength training exercises that make real progress possible, even in the face of unchangeable adversity.
Let’s be honest, we all get stuck with some bad habits that we emotionally default to when we’re not mindfully focused on the right things. Bad habits like people pleasing, reacting with a victim mentality, succumbing to needless worry, spending time with toxic people, or indulging in negative self talk are all patterns that need careful attention and renovation.
It’s time to break up with the faulty patterns of thinking, reacting and behaving that are holding you back!
There’s nothing wrong with being open about struggling with your faults, venting on occasion, and yes, even complaining every now and then. But you have to remember that your words and thoughts, especially the ones you repeat daily, are the foundation you cast your future upon.
When you think about something repeatedly, you begin to personally identify with it, and your inner identity gradually becomes your outer reality.
Your positive, productive thoughts can help create a brilliant, vibrant reality – one where opportunity, happiness and gratitude resides – while your most worrisome fears and foulest words and thoughts can foster a lifetime of darkness, hatred and hopelessness.
The choice is yours.
Choose wisely! Choose your words and your thoughts carefully, with the finest and most positive of intentions. Be conscious of what you are saying to yourself, how you are interacting with others, and what you are asking life for on a daily basis.
Your health, your happiness, your present and your future depend on it.
The bottom line is this: You can’t control the reality of yesterday, or even the reality of today to a certain extent, but you CAN control how you react and respond to everything, in the hopes of drafting a better blueprint for all your tomorrows.
With positive thinking in mind, I have a challenge for you…
Watch this short “Think Better, Live Better” video we filmed with our friend Thanh from Asian Efficiency – in it we discuss two proven strategies for changing your thoughts:
Now, pick one of the two mindset strategies we discussed in the video and actively apply it to your relevant life situation over the next seven days. See how doing so changes your life.
And keep in mind that these two mindset strategies are just a tiny subset of a process all happy, successful people practice, day in and day out, in their own way, to make consistent progress in their lives despite all the daily challenges they can’t control.
Let’s work through this process together, step by step, at “Think Better, Live Better 2020” on February 8th and 9th, 2020 in San Diego.
Join me! I look forward to meeting you and working with you, in person. 🙂
Your turn…
Do you have any questions or observations about this post, the video, or the live event? Leave me a comment below and I’ll get back in touch with you ASAP.
Photo by: Opetre
Dale says
Worth the read and the watch! Thank you for this post. Marc, your point in the video about interpreting and dealing with negativity coming from a close family member was incredibly helpful — my father does this to me all the time. I signed up at the bottom of the event page to be notified when tickets go on sale. I will definitely be attending. 🙂
Marc Chernoff says
So happy to hear that you resonated with these strategies and ideas, Dale. See you in January! 😉
Susan says
The first option would be best for me but a year ago I was in a better place. I’m sure it’s okay to go back further than a year?
Michelle says
Such a helpful and insightful video blog. Great reiteration of two concepts I’ve seen on your site before, but with helpful examples practical applications to make the concepts work.
Especially useful was the insight about the projected fears loved ones not being intentional, but simply a reflection of their own self-limiting beliefs. I have faced this kind of frustration numerous times and always felt let down, but now I see it differently.
Thank you, and I’ll be looking into Think Better, Live Better as well.
Marc Chernoff says
You are welcome, Michelle. And thank you for the kindness.
Marie-Sylvie Behr says
You wrote “There is nothing wrong with being open about struggling with your faults” — I would agree, as it has been my experience that being open to learning from our mistakes makes us smarter and stronger in the long run. And behind this practice the protection and respect for oneself is found too.
Thank you for this. MS B
Mary says
Excellent! I love your articles ! My I re-post this on my blog? Giving you the credit, of course!
Marc Chernoff says
Mary, thank you for the kind remarks. If you don’t mind, please just publish an excerpt (200-400 words) on your blog with proper attribution and then link back to our original article for the rest. 🙂
Nehar says
Hey guys. First, thank you for this post and others! I’ve been following you for over a year now and it literally changed my life.
I have a question about this post though. When I try to shift my thoughts from negative to positive I’m not sure if I am simply running my feelings or not. For instance, when I feel lonely and think to myself “I will find somebody one day”, am I denying my feeling of loneliness and suppress it? Because if so, I wouldn’t want to do that because that would mean I am losing my emotional awareness. What do you think?
Marc Chernoff says
Nehar, thank you for the kind remarks.
To answer your question, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Positivity and emotional awareness can coexist. It’s about being present and embracing the reality of what is, without needing it to be different … And enjoying the good things, without holding on too tight when they change (which they will) … And working through the adversities you face, without thinking that things will always be this way (which they won’t).
Does this make sense?
Eh Htunt says
Incredibly inspiring words and video, as always!
Abdullah M.K says
Very insightful thoughts and tips. I cannot agree more.
kathy says
With your kindness, honesty, and great advice, your website is gradually saving my life from both a narcissist and a nervous break down!! You have become a very positive part of my life and I greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!
pop says
For those who cannot travel to Austin for the event, a streaming option at a lower cost can be an option. Should this event be attended in person ? If so are there plans to host this event around the country?
Marc Chernoff says
This is a great idea that we’ll keep in mind. Not sure we’ll be able to pull it off for this particular conference though, as it wasn’t in our planning and budget, but I will contact you if this changes.
jamie says
Have you thought about making this conference available on-line for people who are unable to attend the live event? Charge a fee, of course. I am one of those people who can not come to the event but would be able to see it one line.
Cindy Buccieri says
Awesome post! I recently learned the power of mind even when you find yourself in a depressing situation. I start every morning with a positive thought to that I can start the day off right.
j says
Another point worth noting is that maybe our parents/others we love, haven’t actually been through something themselves before but they may have witnessed/been involved first hand with someone else going through it (in a sense travelling the path) hence their concern and more to us if we listen to their years of experience. We don’t need to take everything on board but we can have an open mind. People certainly have their own self limiting beliefs that they project on others! Communication is key. Seek first to understand and then be understood – love that principle!
Marc Chernoff says
Excellent perspective!
Rose Costas says
Thanks for this video and post. You have been dealing with people for so long you truly understand how we think and what makes us do the things we do and most of all have a solution to our issues. We do need help in all these areas thanks again for the reminder.
Kim Farish says
Loved the article and video. Please let me know when the event goes on sale.
Marc Chernoff says
Kim, discounted early bird tickets went on sale this morning: https://thinklivebetter.com/
Looking forward to meeting you. 🙂
Rachel says
Hey Marc,
Great post. I have a path and I am walking it, when people share their opinions I am always curious and intrigued. People may even advise me to go in a different direction. I am open to information but I sift through it. I give it thought and take what I want from it. I don’t get taken in by someone disagreeing.
However in saying that, it was not always the case, but now I have found my passion – I am more open to the ideas of others but my steps are solid. Phew it is about time, I have been working on strength of mind for sometime now. There are many good days and a few bad and I am prepared for both. Thanks for food for thought.
Rachel.
Marc Chernoff says
You’re welcome, Rachel. Congrats on the personal growth you’ve been making.
Kim Willis says
Hi Marc,
I really like this post which I think is best encapsulated by your statement here:
‘Change your perception, belief or opinion about your life situation.’
You’re on the money with this quote. People CAN make the shift and improve their lives as a result. By way of example I had this ghastly fear of public speaking. To reduce my fear, so I could finally present in front of groups of people, I visualised myself giving talks successfully.
I imagined people coming up to me at the end of the talk to congratulate me, and I studied and modeled other people who had successfully broken through.
It worked!
Regarding your video, the point you made about celebrating our successes and keeping a success journal is worth its weight in gold.
Thanks for your helpful post
Kim
Marc Chernoff says
Kim, that’s inspiring to hear how you overcame your resistance to public speaking. Thanks for sharing a piece of your story with us. And thanks for the kind feedback too.