HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BRAIN FOR SUCCESS

Did you know you have an estimated 70,000 thoughts per day? That’s 70,000 chances to build yourself up, or tear yourself down.

Your subconscious is a powerful thing, working in interesting ways, and controlling more of your life than you probably realise. What you think, you become. And it’s your choice to feed negative, destructive thoughts, or set yourself up for productivity and success.

Sports coaches and personal trainers help people achieve peak physical fitness, but how about coaching your mind to help you achieve your mental potential?

Kick into gear before the new year hits, and build a success mindset that’ll outlast the tinsel and greenery, and carry you through to the next holiday season with greater success.

So get your brain in shape with a little mental strength training!

Be mindful

Pay attention to your mood and energy, because every emotion you feel, sends a message to your subconscious. Autosuggestion is when you train your subconscious to be positive – and the best part? It only takes 10 minutes a day. Set aside a fraction of an hour each day to visualise a situation you’d like to change your outlook on. Imagine the positive emotions you WANT to have towards something, and let those feelings fill you up to the brim. Completing this exercise daily will transform your gut reaction to whatever it is you’re feeling negative towards.

Treat yourself like a friend

If you’re like 99% of the population, there’s a good chance you’re overly critical of yourself.

Self-compassion, that is, being kind to yourself in times of perceived failure or inadequacy, has been linked to everything from improved psychological wellbeing and better body image to enhanced self-worth and increase motivation. Make it a habit to speak to yourself, and give the same advice, as what you would give a close friend.

Believe you can succeed

Easy, right? What you think you become, so believing you will succeed will take effective action to move you closer to your goal. Believing every problem has an answer, and focusing on the possibilities and solutions, will drive you forward. If you let yourself believe a problem cannot be solved, you are training your brain to find excuses. Beliefs guide our behaviour, so select your crème de la crème of thoughts that will propel you towards your goals.

One obstacle at a time

When your kitchen in inundated with dirty dishes, you don’t fall to the ground is disarray – you wash one dish at a time until your sink is spotless. The same practice goes for overcoming life’s daunting moments. When a monstrous obstacle stands before you, instead of spinning into a mindless frenzy, identify the stepping stones that will have you overcome the adversity. Break down your goal, and focus solely on the next challenge that is achievable. This mindset will produce consistent action, which adds up to progress over time. One small step in the right direction will still move your forward.

Only compete with yourself

The only person you should aim to be better than, is the person you were yesterday. Cliché we know, but it’s a simple fact that many of us overlook – while learning from others is an important part of personal growth, comparing your success to those around you will only make you feel inadequate, have you questioning your abilities, and ultimately make you want to call it quits. Instead, measure your success based on personal benchmarks, not the targets others are setting for themselves.

Grow up

Personal growth – consistently improving your skills and gaining experience – will shoot you forward in the direction of your ambition. Developing a growth mindset to find road maps, strategies and resources to overcome challenges will have you undeniably always looking for a successful course of action. Don’t be afraid of failure, because learning from your mistake is the fastest lesson you will ever learn. Choosing a growth mindset over a fixed mindset shifts your focus from where you are today, to focusing on where you are heading

Spending an afternoon to reflect on the year that has passed, and plan for the year ahead will fill you with hope and possibility of what you can achieve in a mere 12 months!

In need of a little extra self-love? Manifest your way to the perfect day with our favourite positive affirmations.