Your evolving mind
There are certain things we don’t learn in school, things that are vital for our growth and success.
These items are crucial, and yet they don’t get passed down to us through education, are not shared at work, and are rarely available within our family.
This realization can make us angry, after all, how can such critical information be withheld from us? But, the mere fact that you are reading this text is a sign that you are on your way to transformation.
If you end up liking what you read, and want to learn more about how to take your productivity, motivation and self-worth to the next level, then book a free call with me so that we can build a personalized growth strategy for you.
With that said, let’s dive into these transformational insights!
Part 1. Your Mind Is Evolving
From the day you were born, you have been growing and learning. Sometimes the lessons have been easy to understand, such as studying and passing exams. Other times, the lessons were acquired through difficult encounters, such as heartbreak, loss, and other traumatic events.
What you need to know is — all those lessons were there to serve one purpose — to remind you time and time again, that YOU are the MASTER of your LIFE!
In other words, yes, the world around you is unstable, and no, you can’t control others, BUT, you do choose the narratives you give such events and can decide on how to perceive them.
When this fact is fully acknowledged, your authentic power is unlocked. You move away from a victim mindset (in which life happens to you), to a creative mindset (in which you are an empowered individual who designs your life).
Here is a brief overview of the main stages in our mental evolution.
1. Basic (Subconscious):
This is the level you are born into. If you observe children you’ll notice how their primary emotions run their life. Crying when hungry, fearing new places, and getting frustrated when in discomfort. Their mind is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Things on this level happen automatically, without logical thought or knowledge.
2. Simple (Causal):
At this stage, individuals start to understand the basic rules of life. This happens at home with parents and at school. If I do this, then that will happen. If I don’t do this, then I won’t be able to do that. At this stage we recognize the relationships between cause and effect, and how they manifest in our social settings and individual relationships.
3. Formal (Situational):
As we grow up and enter the ‘real world’ we start noticing that not everyone plays and abides by the same rules. Not everyone does what they said they will do.
For example: being kind to someone does not mean they’ll be kind to you.
As we experience and understand the complexities of life we learn the differences between each situation and individual. Finally, we become aware that assuming similar results from different people, without clear communication and complete agreement, will leave us feeling disappointed.
4. Abstract (Integrative):
The highest and hardest level to master in our mind’s evolution is the abstract stage. The stage where we focus on what’s important and within our control, while letting go of all that isn’t. Mastering this stage is hard, but important. Getting to this stage requires self-awareness, mindfulness and self-compassion. It is here that we discover our values and align with them.
In fact, researches found that the third stage is a bridge to the fourth stage:
“This tendency toward formal, abstract, categorical thinking…[is] the developmental bridge leading from a dominant, concrete, associative mode of thought towards the dominant abstract, analogous, symbolic mode of thought of the educated adult. The development of thinking from early adolescent to adulthood does not move towards more formal abstract categorical thinking, but towards integrating abstraction powers into the personal, picturalized, contemplative mode of thinking …which characterizes the mode of thought of the educated adult.” (De Wit, 2018).
So, while we all age, we don’t all move through these stages of mental growth.
Part 2. You’re Leaving a Legacy
Life is precious and many of us want to feel that we are making a difference, that our work matters, and that we will be remembered long after we’re gone.
If you feel your current life doesn’t reflect this, then it’s time for change. But in all honesty, transformation is hard, as it requires getting honest with ourselves, accepting our shortcomings, embracing our strengths and rising up to the challenges that life presents us.
Thanks to the efficiency of our brain, humans have successfully survived and evolved to where we are now. But our ‘fight or flight’ mechanism is outdated, and in a world where danger is no longer found in the wild, but in our minds, business as usual just won’t do.
Those who choose to fight their problems find themselves burnt out and overwhelmed. Those who opt to escape go down the rabbit hole of avoidance, which manifests into anxiety, and if prolonged turns into depression.
So the only sustainable solution is to evolve our mind.
Thanks to science and research, we have the tools and techniques to re-wire our minds in a way that serves us. This transformation happens when we find our core values, build resilience, and engage with others in a meaningful way.
A very well-known advocate of this movement is Simon Sinek, who encourages organizations and individuals alike to find their ‘why’. He says that with this information we can lead more fulfilling and enriching lives.
But, there are certain things that Simon Sinek got wrong….especially when it comes to millennials.
In an interview that has been viewed by over 8 million people, he suggested that younger generations are entitled, and that our desire to ‘make an impact’ is nothing but a fluffy idea, which he can’t even understand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hER0Qp6QJNU
As a psychologist and a mindset coach, it is very unfortunate to hear a bright mind like Sinek speak this way.
If anything, science and research has shown that diving into our values and strengths motivates and encourages us to share our gifts with the world, producing the positive social impact we desire, while living out more meaningful and happier lives. So, what’s not clear here?
Part 3. Breaking the Cycles
Of course, change is not a one-step process. The world falsely tells us that we need to develop quickly and that miraculous overnight changes can happen to you. Well, my friend…here is the truth, they won’t.
Moving away from certain habits and cultivating new ones requires a lot of energy, self-awareness and commitment. Our brain is efficient and has enabled us to survive for all these years, but it doesn’t like change, as it requires tons of energy, focus and a whole lot of work.
So as individuals, we end up being prisoners of our habits, utilizing thoughts and actions that may have served us in the past, which are no longer helpful for adapting to our future.
The following steps are essential in creating the space and time for change:
a) Awareness: Begin by recognizing your current situation. Determine whether it is creating the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you want to engage in.
b) Acceptance: Once the current situation is clear, it’s time to be open and honest with yourself. If you’re not happy, admit that your current way of being needs to be updated.
c) Action: Dreaming and wishing does not equate to being the person you want. Acquiring information from books and blogs is wonderful, but unless it’s applied to our daily life, you won’t see tangible results.
Part 4. Committing to Action
Sticking to change and incorporating new routines is hard. Not only do we need to fight our habitual brain, but we also need to stay focused in a fast-paced world filled with distractions.
E-mails, texts, notifications, shows and social events prevent us from fully committing to our goals. But the good news is that, as long as you get through steps 1 and 2 (awareness and acceptance), step 3 will come naturally, and you will be energized to take action and start leading the life you actually desire.
The beauty of such action is that it aligns us with our values and true passion, so self-confidence and motivation grow strong. This commitment and productivity build momentum, which raise your energy and bring positivity to your life. And suddenly, without even realizing it, you become a magnet who attracts the right people and opportunities that propel you forward.
But, none of that can happen until we truly commit to our goals and action steps. Our level of commitment is dependent on our current level of self-love and discipline. Lack of progress with action is a sign that these two areas of your life need some work and attention.
Will Smith shared wise words on how self-love and discipline are connected:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjvlBMtHOZE
The Takeaway
Our mind is the key to all our desires and dreams. Once we learn how to properly use it, there will be nothing that we can’t achieve.
If you personally feel there is more you want to tap into, and there are changes that you are tired of postponing, then here’s a suggestion for you. Watch this free masterclass where you can learn the exact 5 steps I share with my clients to help them reach their goals without delay and overwhelm.
After all, whether we care to admit it or not, none of us are getting younger. While the physical changes are visible and easier to address, the most vital changes happen at the level of the mind. And that is a completely different ball game, one that’s hard to master on your own.
So now the question is: Are you ready to evolve your mind to its highest levels and tap into your full potential? Once you do, you’ll become unstoppable, and you’ll finally understand what Einstein meant when he said: “Problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them.”
