This video is sponsored by Squarespace
Your mindset plays a huge role in how you view yourself and the world around you.
It also has a major impact on how you choose to live, the actions you decide to take as
well as those you don't.
As I've share before our mind is such a powerful and capable thing, which supports the importance
of constantly growing and adapting our ways of thinking.
One of my core goals for the content I share with you, is to help you think differently
and regain control of your life.
An action that encourages you to continuously shift your mindset to embrace new and different
perspectives.
Now I think it's only fair to mention that I'm also growing on this journey as well and
have chosen to embrace a continuous shift in my own thinking.
Here are a few mindset shifts that are not only changing how I live my life, but also
how I view life.
Number one is you are the author of your own story.
To be honest, this idea is simple in nature yet very difficult to grasp sometimes and
here's why.
Have you ever heard of the phrase Locus of Control?
This is an idea that I've stumbled across on my own journey through self discovery as
well as building intentionality in my life.
Now if you have no idea what this means.
Locus of control is the degree in which people believe that they, as opposed to external
forces, have control over the outcome of events in their lives.
Now if we step back for a second and break this down, we'll see that there are two independent
ideas that come together to form this one statement; there's external locus on control
and then there's internal locus of control.
External meaning you believe that life happens to you.
It always happens to you.
That there's some sort of negative external force that's out to get, and you only.
And then there's Internal, meaning you believe that you are in control.
That you make things happen in your life, despite your situation or circumstances.
That you are the author of your own story.
Now if we placed these two ideas on a linear scale, with external locus of control on one
side and internal locus of control on the other side.
All of us, regardless of what stage we're currently at in life, will fall somewhere
on that line.
Now being honest about where you fall exactly is the hard part.
As I'm sure you know, life itself has a mind of its own.
Sometimes horrible things happen and sometimes not so horrible things happen.
Sometimes life is good and other times we're forced to deal with situations or entanglements
that aren't ideal.
Now without realizing it, you've probably allowed the events in your life, whether good,
bad or indifferent to write, or begin to write your story for you.
Rather than you taking action, despite your situation, and writing your own story—developing
an internal locus of control.
It's very interesting to me, how at times I've noticed myself moving back and forth
on this scale.
Most times I'm standing strong in my ability to be the author of my own story, but I've
caught myself drifting towards the external side of this scale.
Growing frustrated and impatient.
Blaming my surroundings instead of learning how to play with the cards I've been dealt.
Now developing this level of honesty with myself wasn't easy and definitely took time.
I mean, for the most part, the human in me was just being protective of my own being
if that makes any sense.
But as I've express in previous conversations, apart of growing life is learning how to become
comfortable with being uncomfortable.
And this level of self honesty and observation was uncomfortable, but worth it.
Number two is focus on strengths not weaknesses; or, and here’s an interesting perspective
for you instead; focus on what I can do instead of what I can’t do.
Come on now, let that sink in for a second.
Now yes essentially these two phrases are saying the same thing, but it’s just something
about the words "I can" that changes things.
It’s encouraging.
It’s motivating.
It’s powerful.
If you would indulge me for a second, I'd like to paint a picture for you.
Imagine a fire burning and the only thing that's capable of putting that fire out is
water.
Now imagine yourself pouring buckets of water onto that fire until it’s no longer breathing.
Ok now let’s replace fire with fear and water with courage.
See the only way to suffocate fear is by pour buckets on courage onto it.
I;m going to say that again I case you missed it.
The only way to suffocate fear is by pouring buckets of courage onto it.
In other words it’s choosing to focus on I can instead of I can’t—strengths over
weaknesses.
Now in doing this personally, I’ve noticed this organic shift in my actions throughout
life and I’ve started to find ways to navigate around and over many of those hurdles I’ve
come across.
Now that’s not to say I’m not working to improve my weaknesses or learn how to do
the things I can’t do.
I am and I encourage you to as well.
But I’m just choosing to focus my energy on my strengths.
The things I can do and an easy example of this is my personal website that I built using
Squarespace.
Now really Quick in case you’re not familiar, Squarespace is all-in-one platform to help
you build a beautiful online presence.
And yes I’m a big fan because they also help me play to my strengths and here’s
what I mean.
I’m not web designer or a coder.
Those aren’t my biggest strengths.
I am however, a creator, an artist, a speaker, a writer, a business owner.
And Squarespace has made it super easy for me to build a website that not only acts as
a centered hub for everything I do, but also allows me to focus on what I'm good at rather
than struggling to figure out what I'm so good at.
As an example, I can share my work and message using their blogging and portfolio features.
I can also track my website traffics and analytics, things that help me grow and make adjustments
in my business.
So if you can relate, and you have a project, a message to share or a business then definitely
check out Squarespace.com for a free trial and when you’re ready to launch and share
your gift with the world.
Go to Squarespace.com/ronaldlbanks to save 10% on your first purchase of a website or
domain.
All of those details are linked below.
Alright, the third and final mindset shift that I want to share with you is this.
Nothing will work unless you do.
Powerful words spoken and written by the one and only Maya Angelou herself.
This phrase for me is a simple reminder that the best things in life, the things worth
having don't come easy and it requires work and effect to acquire them.
So on days when I feel frustrated and stuck.
I remind myself of these simple words.
Which encourages me to step back if need to.
To take a break.
To give myself permission to relax sometimes.
Because if I'm ever overly frustrated or having a creative block, or feeling stuck, then I
know that the work I'm doing and the progress I'm looking to make in life and in my business
is not going to be very productive.
So if I want my work to work, then I have to be clear of frustration and any other mental
block or limiting belief.
Because just like Maya Angelou said; "nothing will work unless you do."
Well I hope I shared something with you that resonated with you, that spoke to you and
if I did comment below which thought exactly really hit home for you so we can continue
this conversation together.
If you're new here, welcome, I'm glad to have you here.
Consider hitting that subscribe button down below so you can join this community and grow
with all of us here.
Always remember to stay true to you and I'll see you in the next one.
Peace!