Start believing in “Yes I Can!”
On January 1st, 1983, the World Wide Web (internet) made its public debut. Literally, almost overnight, communication took on a whole new meaning. In a matter of a few short years, the population using the internet went from 16 million viewers (1995) to an outstanding 4,833 million viewers as of June 2020. That breaks down to 62 percent of the world population is using the internet on some level daily.
However, with so much time being spent in front of the screens, it is only inevitable to find that viewers find themselves more depressed and less motivated. In 2019, Preventative Science Reports concluded that “those who spent more than four hours each day starting at a screen were about twice as likely to have depression”.
As of 2020, early research has shown that people are watching and interacting with some form of technology up to 18 hours per day.
As a society, we rely heavily on other opinions, leadership, and ideas. 2020 has created a new way of learning this information. Often, the data our brains are receiving is negative, especially this year alone. Psychologist, Dr. Logan Jones wrote that, “Consuming too much of this kind of news, whether actively or passively, can be very toxic, and what you hear has an impact on your mood.”
So, how do we change our thinking patterns?
Affirmation is the practice of constructive thought and the reinforcement of conviction by the present writing of statements or phrases. It is the repetition of new concepts and images that help the unconscious mind thrive. By repeating several optimistic statements or phrases makes this technique successful, connecting them with a specific feeling.
Our subconscious mind is necessary to manifest and achieve our objectives and our subconscious mind governs many of our behaviors. Thus, changing your thoughts and behaviors to reprogram your brain for new accomplishments.
How does confirmation bias affect your thinking?
It is a cognitive discrimination that includes the brain looking for proof that supports our current convictions and reinforces them. Constant thoughts can lead to action on your brain. If you continually reflect on a negative thinking, your brain will possibly see positive or negative information as reinforcement of the negative belief and behave accordingly.
When exploited in a positive way, this can play an important role in the success of an entrepreneur. If you start a company with a deep conviction that you will succeed, you will do so and eventually have a greater chance of understanding your beliefs.
Start taking action!
• Write down your goals – Simply take a pen and write down your short and long-term goals, as well as deadlines and the method for achieving those goals. Divide the objectives into minimal, operational targets and aim to achieve them. You turn the intangible into something concrete by writing down your objectives. Also include periodic rewards for achieving your goals.
• Be attentive – Distraction and lack of motivation are simple, but preparation and eliminating distractions are crucial to keeping focused. Many attempt to do a lot of work, which leads to a further diversion. Concentrate on the few, not the rest. When needing to focus on your daily career, use the 80/20 law. The Pareto Principle (80/20 law) is defined as “an aphorism which asserts that 80 percent of outcomes result from 20 percent of all causes for any given event. In business, a goal of the 80-20 rule is to identify inputs that are potentially the most productive and make them the priority.” Concentrations are like a muscle; they are continually taxed by information. Periodic breaks during an activity will improve your concentration and productivity.
• Now act – As stated, confirmation bias includes the collection of evidence from the subconscious mind that confirms a certain belief. The subconscious mind often tracks, observes, and forms our behavior. In this context, you can work to shift your previous beliefs by repeating and visualizing a phrase, sentence, or statement through affirmation and concentration.
By taking this step forward, the mind will accumulate additional information to alter your current conviction. American film critic, Pauline Kael summed up life by saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge your foot in that door and keep it open.”
