What lights you up? What gets you excited? What do you really want?

Is that what you’re focusing on?  Or, are you focusing on what you don’t want?  Are you focusing on fears and anxieties vs. possibilities and successes?

So often, people focus on their fears, uncertainties, lacks, limitations, perceived weaknesses and the criticism of others. If you focus on feeling less than others, not being smart enough or not having what it takes to be where you want to be, you are reinforcing what you don’t want in your life.  As long as one continues to focus on what they assume they are lacking, they will keep themselves in the lacking loop. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  What you focus on grows!

Your brain can dream up all kinds of things that can go wrong; there’s not a shortage of negative fantasies to fill our minds.  The sad part is that your brain believes all the worries and fears that you focus on.

So, why don’t we continually focus on what we want?  It’s as if our brains are hardwired to zero in on the negatives and it takes more work and conscious effort to focus on the positives.  It’s true: We do have to use our conscious mind to control our thoughts and focus, and it does take more work than thinking of negative scenarios (which naturally come up on their own just like weeds).

Right now, close your eyes and focus on your strengths, the things you love about yourself, the areas you are confident it, all the things about you that are lovable and fun. Think about the ways you are courageous, worthwhile and competent.  Now, imagine your life going just the way you want it to.  See yourself interacting successfully with others, see yourself doing the things that light you up and excite you.  See yourself living your ideal life easily and confidently.  You will not see results immediately, but you will move in the direction of your focus.

Practice this exercise for a few minutes two to three times per day.  Small and simple acts done consistently add up over time. The benefits will be worth it!