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It's so easy to give attention to all the things we don't like in our life. Yet what a fascinating paradox it is that the more attention you give to what you don't want, the more of that you get. If you're focused on all the problems, you get more problems.
So, does this mean the prescription is to try to think positively all the time?
Not at all. Anyone who has tried to think positively when you don't feel positive knows that it's hopeless. Everyone has "problems", things which challenge us and require coming up with some solution.
The lesson of Attention is that when problems arise, you have a choice. You can focus on the problem, how awful it is, how it is leading to other problems and so on. Or you can give attention to what can be done about the problem. What are the alternative courses of action that can be taken.
When you take the latter approach, you are giving attention to the solution, and guess what you get? More solutions. So remember this principle from The Passion Test:
"What you put attention on grows stronger in your life."
And then put your attention on the solutions in your life.
Today's Tip for Following Your Passions: Today notice what you are putting attention on. Carry a little notepad with you and every time you notice that you are thinking about a problem, take a moment and write down three things you can do to solve that problem, or even just to find out how the problem can be solved. If you find this exercise useful, keep doing it for a month or so, and see if you don't find that your thinking changes from focusing on the problems in your life to coming up with solutions. |
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