Take a moment right now and ask yourself this question: “What kind of thoughts have I had today?”

Have your thoughts been sprinkled with gratitude, enlivened with possibilities and creative in solving problems? Or, did you get mired in worry, self-doubt and negativity today?

If you notice that you have been focusing more on the 1/2 empty than the 1/2 full of life, your first task it to apply liberal self-compassion.  As humans, we do have a natural tendency to focus on problems rather than on what is going well. So, it might be going against your biology, but I am going to challenge you to shift your thinking towards the positive.

All depends on whether you see the glass half-full or half-empty

Photo by GloriaGarcía, shared via flickr

 

“There is an expression in neuroscience: Neurons that fire together wire together. This means that new patterns of thought can actually change the physiology of our brains. So while we can’t ignore bad news, we can train our brains to become more alert to good information. When you notice a positive detail in yourself or someone else or your environment, try savoring it for at least ten seconds…do this a handful of times each day and you will feel an emotional shift.” -Rick Hanson, PhD, coauthor of “Buddha’s Brain”

One of the benefits of life coaching is creating new neural pathways (habitual ways of thinking and feeling) that really do change your perspective. This isn’t about becoming a Pollyanna or ignoring the realities of life. Rather, it is about creating more expansive ways of seeing yourself and the world around you that opens up opportunities for lasting change.

Don’t take my word for it! Try the simple exercise suggested by Dr. Hanson and see for yourself!