The Power of Me
You are the architect of your future, your desires, and your destination. Every decision you make today shapes the life you’ll live tomorrow. Think of it like this: work hard now, and your future self will thank you. You won’t be scrambling to figure life out later when you’re older; instead, you’ll be enjoying the rewards of the choices you made when they mattered most.
This journey isn’t just about living your best life—it’s about rising to a higher level. It’s about changing your mindset and frequency to create a new reality. As I write in my upcoming book If You Change Your Mind, You Can Change Your Life, we are exactly where we are in life because of the decisions we’ve made. So if you’re dissatisfied in any area—whether mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally, in your relationships, or your career—know this: you can change it. It all begins with a shift in your thinking, one decision at a time.
Today, I want to guide you through how to unlock this power.
The Reticular Activating System: Your Brain’s Gatekeeper
There’s a small but powerful part of your brain that controls what grabs your attention: the Reticular Activating System (RAS). Think of it as a personal assistant. Its job is to filter through all the noise and decide what’s worth noticing. But here’s the catch—it only focuses on what you tell it to.
If you’re not intentional about what you focus on, the RAS will keep showing you more of the same—whether that’s positive or negative.
The New Car Phenomenon
Ever notice how, after you get a new car, you suddenly see that same model everywhere? It’s not that everyone else just bought the same car. It’s your RAS at work. The car has become important to you, so your brain starts highlighting it. Your mind works the same way in every area of life. If you’re constantly focusing on problems, your brain will find more. But if you train it to focus on opportunities, growth, and success, you’ll start seeing those things more clearly.
For Young Adults: Stepping Into the World
If you’re just starting out in life, here’s a crucial truth: what you focus on becomes your reality. If you’re only seeing obstacles—fear of failure, a tough job market—your brain will keep pointing out reasons to feel stuck. But if you focus on your goals—like financial independence or a fulfilling career—your brain will begin to guide you toward the right opportunities.
Step 1: Set Clear Intentions
Write down what you want, and be specific. If it’s financial freedom, write down a specific income goal. If it’s a job in a particular industry, get detailed. The clearer your goal, the better your brain can filter out distractions and guide you to the right path.
The Refrigerator Light Moment
Ever stood in front of the fridge searching for something, only to realize it’s right in front of you? That’s your RAS in action. If you’re not clear in your intentions, it’s like searching in the dark. But when you provide clarity—when you set a clear goal—your brain illuminates the path.
For all my Midlife Adults: It’s Never Too Late
To those of you with more life experience, understand this: it’s never too late to change direction. Maybe you’ve made the same choices for years and feel stuck in a pattern. The answer is simple—make new decisions. If your current path isn’t working, shift your mindset and start making new choices.
I had to do this after my divorce. It was tough, but by focusing on what I wanted for my future, I started creating a new path. I’m a different person now because of those decisions. If I can do it, so can you.
Step 2: Visualize Your Success
Take a few minutes each day to imagine the life you want. Picture yourself living it. This isn’t just daydreaming—it’s training your brain to focus on what’s important. The more vividly you visualize success, the more your brain will work to bring that vision to life.
The GPS of Life
Your RAS works like a GPS. If you don’t input a destination, you’ll keep wandering in circles. But once you set a goal, your brain will guide you toward it. Sure, there may be detours or wrong turns, but it will always recalibrate. The key is knowing where you want to go.
For Everyone: How to Make the Shift
Whether you’re stepping into adulthood or pivoting midlife, here’s how to start changing your life:
Set Specific, Actionable Goals: Don’t just say, “I want more money.” Instead, say, “I want to earn $20,000 a month.” Then break it down into smaller, manageable steps—what skills do you need? What connections should you make?
Eliminate Distractions: Be mindful of where your attention goes. If you’re always focused on problems, your brain will show you more. But if you shift your focus to solutions, opportunities will begin to appear.
Repetition and Consistency: Your brain loves habits. The more you revisit your goals, visualize success, and affirm your abilities, the better your brain will filter the world around you to align with your desires.
The Gym and the Brain
Think of your brain like a muscle. Just as you wouldn’t expect one push-up to give you six-pack abs, you can’t expect one day of focused thinking to completely change your life. You have to be consistent. The more you expose your mind to the life you want, the better it will get at finding the opportunities to create it.
Step 3: Get Emotionally Involved
This is key: you need to get emotionally connected to your goals. Why? Because your RAS reacts strongly to emotions. When you’re excited or passionate about something, your brain takes notice. So, feel the joy, the excitement, and the gratitude for achieving your goals, even before they happen.
One Decision at a Time
In the end, you hold the power to shape your life. If you can change your mind, you can change your life. One day at a time, one decision at a time. Start focusing on what you want, set clear goals, and filter out distractions. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your life begins to shift.
Thank you for joining me on this journey—and remember, the power of your mind is your greatest asset.
Love Always
John Maurice