A Thought a Feeling an Action

Sometimes all it takes to make a change is a single thought. Although many things must happen between this hypothetical thought and an actual change being made it is this initial thought that often triggers the process. 

Needless to say depending on the thought the change could be positive or negative. For example a thought such as “If they can do it so can I” might trigger an individual to change their lifestyle from sedentary to active. Whereas a thought such as “now that I have a family I don’t have time to exercise” might do the opposite in that it could trigger an individual to change their lifestyle from active to sedentary.

So what does this mean? Quite simply it means…

the way we think about a situation or event

affects the way we feel

and together these affect how we act

These three lines, although brief can be extremely powerful. Consider someone who on the one hand wants to look and feel healthier but on the other hand is drinking too much and regularly overeating. If when this person thinks about exercise and healthy food they think of struggle and hardship they will feel helpless and disempowered to change. This in turn will affect their actions in that they will continue to do what they have been doing and will be unlikely to attempt a change. What compounds the issue further is when it comes to drinking and overeating they may think of good times with friends and family. As a result they might feel positive about the association they have with food and drink and as a result they will continue to act in the same way. 

Obviously if a change is to be made these opposing sets of ideas need to be reversed or at least modified in some way to support a new set of behaviours. Then and only then will any new habits, routines and rituals gain enough traction to make change a real possibility.

So have a think now about the thoughts that are moving closer to your goals and the thoughts that are moving you away from your goals. What are the things you could do to strengthen your positive thinking while minimising your negative thinking?

Remember change can be triggered by a single thought!