Imagine yourself being awesome (visualization), then go and be awesome (action).

But first, let’s talk brain.

“The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a bundle of nerves at our brainstem that filters out unnecessary information so the important stuff gets through. The RAS is the reason you learn a new word and then start hearing it everywhere. It’s why you can tune out a crowd full of talking people, yet immediately snap to attention when someone says your name or something that at least sounds like it. Your RAS takes what you focus on and creates a filter for it. It then sifts through the data and presents only the pieces that are important to you. All of this happens without you noticing, of course. The RAS programs itself to work in your favor without you actively doing anything. Pretty awesome, right? In the same way, the RAS seeks information that validates your beliefs. It filters the world through the parameters you give it, and your beliefs shape those parameters. If you think you are bad at giving speeches, you probably will be. If you believe you work efficiently, you most likely do. The RAS helps you see what you want to see and in doing so, influences your actions.”

Read the entire (oh so fascinating article) here: If you want it, you might get it. The Reticular Activating System explained by Tobias van Schneider.

So, if you can (potentially) hear your own name in a crowd of thousands… Can you also program your brain to focus on the things that matter to you?

I believe you absolutely can BUT you have to be really clear about what that is.

Here is a suggestion:

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

Go through the goals you have set for yourself, and add a note with very specific actions you can take towards accomplishing those goals. For example:

Business
Goal: Level up my business efforts so I can reach and help more people.
Action: Hire a marketing agency.

Friends
Goal: Set aside time to support and reach out to friends more regularly.
Action: Join an exercise class with friends. Plan a weekend getaway.

Family
Goal: See family more often and dedicate real time to connect and catch-up.
Action: Plan a family reunion that happens on the same holidays each year.

Personal Passions
Goal: Spend more time reading.
Action: Get suggestions of 10 books from friends. Start book club for accountability.

Spiritual
Goal: Start meditating to create mental space and slow down at the end of a workday.
Action: Get a meditation app to remind me before bed.

Health
Goal: Get more toned and increase my endurance.
Action: Buy a weight set and sign-up for a bootcamp.

Tool of the week: The No.1 Habit Billionaires Run Daily