Life is a Head Game but Mindset Is Your Superpower

Do you ever feel like the universe, or God, or whatever your belief, is trying to tell you something? I’m having that moment right now. First, I listened to a podcast by Dr. Leaf about 5 steps to align your conscious mind with your subconscious mind. Then I had lunch with friends and part of our discussion was around how short life is and acknowledging how important it is to choose to be happy in the moment.

And then came my pastor’s most recent sermon about how life is a series of mountaintops and valleys and how to handle that. My favorite line was a quote he shared from a football quarterback who said, “You’re always either in the penthouse or the outhouse.”

Life can be a rollercoaster of happiness extremes so what should you do about it? Let’s break down these three messages a little more closely.

Conscious vs Subconscious Mind

Dr. Leaf is a neuroscientist and Mind Management expert. In books, podcasts, speaking and coaching she shares science-backed strategies to take control of your thoughts in order to live your happiest life. I find her research to be fascinating and helpful in my own life. She talks about what she calls “thinker moments” which I call a “forced pause.”

Our brains are wired for survival which doesn’t really apply to our lives today. We don’t have wild animals and hunting our own food to contend with yet our brains tend to react quickly without pausing to “think” unless we force a pause to allow the conscious mind to engage and our brains to reboot and heal. That would’ve gotten you eaten in the past but not today.

I encourage you to listen to her words of wisdom, sign up for her enlightening newsletter, and treat yourself to her free download on her five tips for switching on your brain. And spoiler alert, she also has a recent podcast about the new GLP-1 drugs and what they actually do to our brains – worth a listen!

Happy in the Moment

My lunch discussion with girlfriends was maybe similar to conversations you have had as well. After sharing stories and supporting each other with ideas, we often nudge each other to take that new step, go on that next trip, enjoy an opportunity, or just appreciate today… while we can.

It seems every time we turn around, someone we know has just lost… a brother, a friend, a parent, a spouse. What are we waiting for? Those losses are our reminder that today is a gift that we, too, often take for granted. The minute our feet hit the ground as we get out of bed each morning, are we grateful for this new day?

Mountains and Valleys

Lastly, the pastor talking about peaks and valleys wasn’t just talking about faith. He noted how extreme life can feel, with highs and lows, almost as if there seems to be nothing in between (hence the quarterback quote). And he too encouraged a “head game” to consider.

When you are on the mountain top, “look out in gratitude,” he said. When you are in the lowest valley, “look up with hope,” he encouraged. No matter the circumstance, there is a positive framework our mind can focus on. But we have to choose it.

Life by Design

I have come to believe that awareness is a superpower, but only if you choose to act on it. I know my Health and Financial Wellness for Women group probably gets tired of me reminding them that the speakers and topics I bring to the group have an ulterior motive: actionable education. Education is NOT helpful, unless we put it into practice. So, my challenge to them is to write down three interesting or new things they learned at each meeting. And then circle the one they will take action on.

We can choose to break the cycle of learning and not doing, of reacting and not pausing first, or of going through our days without gratitude. I have seen women and couples choose a positive head game after loss, career curveballs, upending life events, and toxic people in their lives.

It sounds so simple to remind ourselves how moving forward in life is a choice. But it’s actually good news, that our minds are the ONE and ONLY thing we really can control in life. So it behooves us to become more aware, learn about our most amazing organ (our brains), and choose positivity in this head game of life.

Let’s Reflect:

Have you experienced a mindset shift in your life? How do you deal with mountains and valleys? Any tips that you have found helpful to “force a pause” to engage your conscious mind rather than habitually just reacting? Let’s share our thoughts.