Ever think about how our thoughts today might shape our tomorrow?
I mean, we all get that our mindset affects our lives, right?
But, damn, I didn’t realize just how deep this connection went.
And that’s what we’re diving into today.
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
— Lao Tzu
Understanding Mind and Future
Dr. Joe Dispenza explores how our thoughts can propel us forward or trap us in a loop.
We’re going to uncover the transformative power of the mind and the potential it holds to shape our future.
Stuck In a Thought Loop
Ever paused and wondered if today’s thoughts shape our tomorrow?
It’s a wild idea, but how many of us truly know where we’re headed?
When I first started learning about how to set real goals, I couldn’t believe how many people in the world don’t even bother to do so.
There are many people out there who don’t think about where they’re going.
I’m not kidding.
The fact that only a small percentage of people set achievable goals motivated me to investigate the reasons behind it, and I am grateful that I did.
The Repetition Trap
Did you know that scientists say we have around 60–70,000 thoughts daily, and 90% are the same as yesterday’s¹?
That’s wild.
So, if our thoughts are laying the foundation for our future and we’re just replaying the same day on a loop then what’s happening?
Joe Dispenza makes this point.
He says the same thoughts?
Well, they lead to the same choices.
And those same choices?
They turn into the same actions.
Those actions?
Yep, they give us the same experiences.
And guess what those experiences do?
They stir up the same feelings.
And those feelings?
They set the tone for our thoughts the next day.
Crazy, right?
It’s almost like we’re stuck in a maze we’ve created and can’t seem to find our way out.
Our Mind: A Mix of Thoughts, Actions, and Emotions
Everything about us, from our genes to our brain’s wiring, is shaped by how we think, act, and feel.
This mix is what makes our personality.
And that personality is what’s creating our personal reality.
For those dreaming of a different life and a fresh start then there’s some introspection required.
We need to examine and challenge those recurring thoughts and habits.
And we must determine if the emotions rooted in our past align with the future we envision.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”
— Buddha
The Science Behind Repetitive Thoughts
Many of us aim for a new life but the problem is we are using an outdated blueprint.
It’s like trying to bake a chocolate cake using a recipe for vanilla cupcakes.
Doesn’t make sense, does it?
I’ve been there.
When I started this journey, I was unknowingly stuck in my old ways.
But as time went on, I stayed consistent with what I was doing and persisted.
After some time, I evolved and became a different person.
That transformation was the key to unlocking the lasting change I was hoping for.
Your Brain: A Living Archive
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So, there’s this principle they have in the neuroscience community.
They say, “Nerve cells that fire together, wire together.”²
What does that mean?
It means if we keep on with the same old thoughts and actions then our brain gets set in its ways.
It’s kind of like taking the same walk every single day and eventually wearing down a solid path.
Over time the path’s just there and clear as day.
Here’s a crazy scientific fact that blew me away when I first heard it.
By 35 years old, we’re mainly living on autopilot³.
Not kidding.
By this age, our behaviors, habits, reactions, beliefs, and even our attitudes are so ingrained in us that we now function like a computer program.
We all know reprogramming a computer isn’t easy.
But it is possible.
Just like software, with effort and awareness, we can update and upgrade our brains.
This means we have the power to upgrade these programs with some effort and awareness.
Now, here’s another fact that blew me away.
95% of those behaviors, habits, reactions, beliefs, and attitudes run on autopilot³.
They’re subconscious programs.
Why should we care?
If you’re reading this, you’re looking to learn, grow, or change something.
And learning?
It’s all about building different connections in the brain.
Crafting a Purposeful Vision
To shape our future, we need more than just a vision.
We need one that’s grand and truly ignites our passion.
Without that, our brains are just running on outdated software.
But here’s what’s exciting.
Every new thought and every fresh piece of information can lead us to make different choices.
And these choices then transform our behaviors, shape new experiences, stir up fresh emotions, and spark new thoughts.
It’s like a domino effect and it’s the essence of evolution.
Yet, if we’re always looking behind us and are anchored by our past then how can we steer towards a new future?
Without a vision focused on the future, we risk staying stuck and never realizing the future we’ve always dreamt of.
Imagine waking up each morning, not driven by a vision that’s bigger than you.
A vision that doesn’t light that fire in your belly or pull you out of bed with excitement.
Instead, you’re running on yesterday’s energy, weighed down by past emotions.
So, what’s likely to happen to you?
Well, it’ll most likely be something like this.
You’ll start your day in the exact same way you always do.
Then you’ll see the same faces, visit the same places, and follow the same old routine.
You’re living on autopilot with your surroundings dictating your every move.
Change isn’t only about doing things differently.
It’s about thinking bigger than what’s around us and going beyond the challenges we face.
We need to start looking outside of the confines of our current world.
Every iconic figure in history knew this.
They all had this clear vision.
And even though they couldn’t touch or see that vision, it was pulsing, alive, and always in their minds.
So much so, that they lived every day as if that dream was their reality.
Navigating the Challenges of Change
When we try something new, things might feel off.
This is natural because we’re stepping out of our comfort zone into the unknown.
This is actually a sign we’re on our way to a better version of ourselves.
And believe me, it’s a trip worth taking.
When we start shaking things up and trying to change, we’ll most likely start complaining.
You know what I’m talking about.
Out of the blue, these sneaky thoughts start creeping in.
It’s almost like they’ve been waiting for this moment.
And they’ll start to whisper things like:
- Maybe we’ll start tomorrow?
- This is way too hard.
- Change just isn’t for me.
- There’s something off about me.
- It’s all because of how I was raised.
- This just doesn’t feel right.
If we give in to these whispers and believe them then we’ll end up back at square one.
We’ll start to make those same choices, fall into the same routines, and feel those all-too-familiar emotions.
It’s what we know and are familiar with.
That is why we allow ourselves to fall back into this pattern even when we know it’s not good for us.
But if we can break free from those stupid, little voices and take a step into the unknown then we’ll start seeing the power they’ve held in our lives.
We’ll begin to feel this deep, profound transformation start to happen inside of us.
Stepping into the Unknown: Where Magic Happens
Stepping into the unknown can be unsettling.
We’re humans.
We like predictability.
But here’s the key.
The best way to shape your future is to create it!
Not from what you already know, but from what you have yet to discover.
Once we start to become familiar with the unknown, things start to get exciting.
That’s when the real magic happens.
But always remember, that real magic is never in the familiar.
Breaking Free: The Real Barrier to Success
The truth?
We’re often our own biggest obstacle.
Instead of moving forward, we’re often running in circles and then wondering why.
Why do we do this?
It’s those subconscious beliefs and patterns.
They hold us back like invisible chains we can’t see and they keep us from reaching our full potential.
If we can look inside ourselves and learn to break free from those then the future is in our hands now.
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
— Albert Einstein
Final Thoughts
We’ve discussed the power of thoughts on our future.
But knowledge alone isn’t enough.
We have to figure out what’s holding us back and start thinking about our next move.
Are you ready to take control of your life and start shaping your future?
Don’t just dream it.
Live it!
Ever find yourself stuck in your head and missing the beauty that’s right in front of you?
Stay present and those fake problems fade away.
Deep Dive: Further Resources
At Writing Your Own Story, we’re putting together the top resources to help you on your journey.
This library contains information and the top resources to help you get ahead.
Check out the Resource Library!
Here's an incredible interview with Dr. Joe Dispenza on Lewis Howes's YouTube channel -
References
- National Science Foundation: Our brains produce as many as 50,000 thoughts per day.
- National Science Foundation: 95% of these thoughts are repeated daily and reflect the mindset or beliefs we hold that lead to those 600 daily habits.
- Hebbian Theory: When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite cell B and repeatedly or persistently takes part in firing it, some growth process or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A’s efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased.
- Habits and the Brain: By the time we hit our mid-30s, we have a set of habits and routines that are largely automatic. These habits are hardwired into our brains and can be difficult to change
What Are Your Thoughts?
If you’ve made it this far, thanks so much for reading. And, if you found value in this article, it would mean the world to me if you shared it with others!
What's your take and what do you think about this? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!