When you think of changing your behavior, you likely think of things like eating healthier, exercising, sticking to a routine, or working harder. These are examples of ways that you can be more productive and put more energy into your life but will not leave you feeling true happiness and satisfaction.
The most important way to align your wellbeing with your behaviors is to change your beliefs and the value you put behind choosing your own thoughts.
It can be very difficult to change your mindset when you have grown up with strict beliefs about your life given to you by your family and cultural surroundings. We are often so caught up in our thoughts that we rarely take a step back to observe them and reflect on them.
Taking time to observe your thoughts and shift them to a place that transforms your perspective on life can be extremely beneficial when trying to stick to new behaviors and positive lifestyle changes. Below are some ways that you can look at the way you think from an outside perspective and allow your mindset to shift for the better.
Analyzing Your Thoughts
Before trying to change your behavior, it is important to truly sit with your thoughts and the emotions behind them. Start with a past failure or mistake that you know you have replayed in your mind time and time again. Notice how your emotions changes based on these thoughts and how they may be impacting your self-esteem or belief in yourself.
Look at past mistakes and the emotions you have behind them as well as any trauma or fears that are holding you back from living in the present moment and write down the thoughts and emotions associated with them. When you write them down, you are able to analyze them from an outside perspective and change the way you view them.
Next, look at different cultural or family values that you have carried with you throughout the entirety of your life. Is there anything that you feel may be limiting you or holding you back? It is important to be honest with yourself even though it may be hard to admit these things.
Meditation can help you to notice your thoughts and reflect on them, rather than reacting with emotion right away. This is an important form of thought analysis that can benefit your overall wellbeing and make you more present in the moment. This allows you to be in control of your thoughts, rather than allowing your thoughts to control you.
It’s all about letting new thoughts unfold new behaviors
Once you have genuinely sat down with your thoughts and noticed the ones that may be limiting you and holding you back, you can replace them with powerful, positive, and productive thoughts. This will ultimately allow you to act upon your thoughts in an effective and powerful way.
By changing the way you react to certain circumstances and your surroundings on a daily basis, you will ultimately change the way you behave and will be able to let go of negative habits that no longer support your goals and beliefs. You will notice yourself feeling more capable and self-confident and will reach new obstacles with a positive mindset, rather than letting them prevent you from moving forward.
Changing your behaviors that have made you the person you are can be difficult and can make you feel a sense of loss for who you are. However, changing your behaviors can allow you to grow from within and can help you achieve your greatest goals and aspirations.
Once you change your thoughts and perspectives, you ultimately change your behaviors in a natural and satisfying way.
