Words of wisdom for this week.
“Limitless like the ocean are your excellent qualities.”
~ Dalai Lama
A computer functions a lot like the human brain except that it isn’t quite as effective in many ways but the similarities in terms of activity and success are an important concept to grasp. Let me explain.
A computer has 2 primary elements – the hard drive and the RAM. The hard drive is where the information and software programs are stored. These programs allow the computer to function in many ways simultaneously basically multitasking. If you don’t have a particular program in your hard drive you can’t perform those functions.
Here’s the problem – if you have a virus or a lot garbage in your hard drive or have too much going on in your RAM the computer is slower and less productive. So, what’s the comparison to your brain?
Your brain has in excess of 300 billion brain cells. There are over 3 trillion chemical reactions in the human brain every second. The brain is made up of two primary elements –the conscious and the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind automatically controls 95% of all bodily functions without your conscious awareness. Heart rate, digestion, body temperature etc. You don’t have to consciously think about these to make them happen.
Here’s the problem, if you have too much clutter or viruses in your mind it will have a negative impact on your thinking, emotions, feelings and many other human functions like –decisions, behavior, reactions etc.
So, what’s in your hard drive (unconscious mind)? Well, most of the stuff in it was put there not by you but by others; parents, friends, bosses, teachers, church leaders etc. Your brain never forgets. Everything you have ever felt, experienced, done, not done, decided etc is permanently stored in your unconscious. So if a parent or uncle once told you, you’ll never amount to anything – it’s stored permanently. If a spouse has ever said you are worthless, yep, it’s stored for future use. If you have ever made a bad decision, you guessed it, stored. So what does all of this have to do with success, peace or happiness?
Think about it, if the majority of stuff that’s stored in your mind are all of the negatives you have ever experienced thought or done it’s just like your computer has a virus. And the outcome – less effective, slower and loss of control of the quality of your life.
Here’s the key to future happiness and success – you have to control what your mind is exposed to. You have to learn to turn off the negatives and allow the positives to direct your life. How would you do this with a computer? Three ways 1) upgrade a software program so your computer operates at peak capacity. 2) Buy a new software program so you can use this functionality. 3) delete a software program, file or junk off your computer.
Here’s the problem when it comes to the brain. You can’t delete anything. So you are left with only 2 options.
- Upgrade your mental software by exposing yourself to new information – books, seminars, training etc.
- Add new software to your mental hard drive with books, articles, seminars etc.
But there is an additional factor that must be considered with this approach. Only one exposure to new information isn’t adequate to guarantee your brain will give you access to this information when you need it.
Why, because it depends on the overall content of the brain. If you have a lot of negative stuff in your mind you can’t upgrade or override this old information with only one exposure. The key to allowing your brain to help you succeed is REPETITION REPETITION REPETITION. Got it? The more the brain is exposed to information whether positive or negative determines which information has control of attitudes, feelings and behavior. So if you want to ensure that you give yourself every opportunity for success and happiness the key is REPETITION to the material that is in your future long term best interests.
An additional benefit of REPETITION is speed. The more the mind is exposed to the same information the faster it processes this information. For example. If during a challenging time in your life or when you have to make an important decision you have previously had repetitious exposure to information that helps you over come these negative circumstances or decision doubts or fears, the mind will bring the appropriate positive information to your conscious mind (the RAM) to help you get through this faster and easier.
If you have ever struggled with a decision, it’s because the mind is processing every available memory, outcome, action and thought associated with any and all previous decisions thereby bringing all of this previous information into the present (the RAM) while you are trying to make this new decision. Not a recipe for success especially when time or urgency is important. I’m not talking here about making faster decisions but allowing the mind to process the current information without distraction from any negatives of the past.
Let’s use a sports example. If you play tennis and practice your backswing for an hour every day do you think over time you will just hit the ball and not have to think about all of the details?
You can’t turn off the negatives. So all that is left is to over power them with the positives. Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Required? Absolutely.
I’ll close with a simple question – What are you allowing into your brain with repetition – worry, fear, uncertainty, frustration, stress, anxiety, anger, guilt OR, possibilities, confidence, optimism, courage, personal power, joy, appreciation, patience and love?
Let me REPEAT – What you are getting in your life right no, have in the past and will in the future is exactly what you have allowed based on what information has had access to your brain because what’s in your brain drives your thoughts.
Want a different outcome? Change what’s gaining access to your brain. Change what you are being exposed to. Change what you are learning. Start exposing yourself to what you want not what you don’t want.