http://www.care2.com/greenliving/imagine-your-future-positive-self.html
Imagine Your Future Positive Self
Recently I heard about a young man who dreamed about becoming a bull rider. The goal in the ring is to stay on the bull for eight seconds. The first six months, this guy worried constantly: “What if I get thrown right away? What if I get trampled?” And sure enough, he kept getting thrown before the eight seconds.
Then one day he decided to try something different. Instead of worrying about all that could go wrong, he’d worry about what could go right: “What will I do with the wad of money I’ll make? What about all the fans who’ll want my autograph?” He’s now the United States bull riding champion.
As the bull rider discovered, when we imagine all the things that could go wrong in creating our intention, we generate a lot of internal interference, static in our minds, that increases the likelihood of failure. Our emotional brains want to move away from the possibility of pain, so intentionally or otherwise, we goof up or give up. When, on the other hand, we focus on all the positive outcomes of our intention, our emotional brain is attracted by the possibility of greater pleasure and so it aids in our going toward what we want.
Another reason this works is because, according to neuroscientists, we humans don’t think in facts, but in frames. Frames are mindsets that structure how we think. I think of frames as stories we tell ourselves about life that get confirmed over and over because we filter out any conflicting information. How this relates to bringing our intention into being is that each of us has a frame, a story about ourselves and life, which influences everything we think and do.
One way to create a new frame is to do what the bull rider did–create a new, positive story about a future self. Then making the necessary changes becomes possible because you’ve got a new story to live into.
To try: Write yourself a letter from your future. Imagine it’s a year from now and that future self has accomplished what you want. The you of the future has lost the weight, become happier, found a new partner, learned to take life more easily. The future you is writing to the you of today about what it’s like and how well you’re doing. What does it feel like? What surprises have come your way as a result of the change? The future you is a year older and wiser. He or she has learned a lot about how to get from here to there. What message does he or she have to help the you of today get to that marvelous place?
Ready to get started? Post your intent and find community support and content to help you achieve it!
Editor’s Note: While we do not endorse bull riding, we elected to run this article based on the merits of its message of setting intentions and achieving positive outcomes.
In this monthlong learning series, M.J. Ryan, author of the best-selling book This Year I Will…: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True, will take you through four steps, each lasting one week, to help you figure out what your most important intentions are and give you the tools to make each a reality. Just joining the learning series? Go here to start at the beginning. Intent.com provides content and community for who you aspire to be–personally, socially and globally.
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12 comments
add your comment »thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
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why is this inappropriate?
http://www.google.com.tr/search?hl=tr&q=bilgisayar&meta=&aq=f&oq=
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Good Idea, poor bull !
Stop electric torture, stop rodeo !
Yes, thinking positive anyone can achieve some unexpected action !
Like buying a sailboat to save seals and whales.
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I love these articles on intent and overcoming personal hurdles. Thanks for this series!
http://superecolog.blogspot.com/
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I am in agreement with Fallopia's comment. The article has great points re: how to visualize the outcome you'd like, but the example of bullriding is heinous. These animals are treated with extreme cruelty, and suffer unmentionable injuries. So for me the article took on a negative tone right from the get go. Please read the truth - there is nothing all American about the rodeo: http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000349
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I completely agree with Fallopia - tormenting, and hurting, animals is not a positive thing to do and is nothing to be proud of.
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When I am faced with making a consumer complaint, I'm usually pretty angry and frustrated with the situation. I find myself compounding it mentally by assuming how badly I am going to be treated (based on what has already happened). When I catch myself doing this, I try to take deep breaths and imagine (no matter how ludicrous it seems at the time) being apologized to and the problem being taken care of. That way, I can get past the emotions and work on the solution. It seems to help. If this doesn't quiet your fury, picture yourself as an awesome beacon of calm efficiency! ;)
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I practice writing my thoughts out in my journal. Adding gratitude into my intentions is a wonderful way of focusing on what you want- not what you don't want ;)
Go out and play,
Allie
Sustainable Lifestyle Business
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I will try this and also share with friends.
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Thanks for the link Bella.. I am thinking of doing this because I have lots of negative thoughts specially for my family. Thank you for sharing.
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