Our brain is a powerful, compact computer, running on autopilot for the most part, keeping us alive and functional. It constantly filters our experiences and gives us unconscious feedback, telling us what is safe and what should be avoided. Most of the programs serve us well and without them we would truly run amok. Unfortunately some of the programs are outdated, mistakenly placed there by some challenging past event, invalid parental messages, or distorted evidence. These programs tell us it that it makes sense to stay in a job we don’t like, that we don’t have what it takes to create something new, that selling is hard and public speaking is worse than death, that we aren’t smart enough to figure it out, and that we should just be satisfied with what we have because wanting more is selfish.

Your internal programs can be changed. Actually they are changing every day with every experience you have. So why not take a proactive role in re-programming your own computer? Why not update your operating system? What would a reboot do for you?

There are many ways to change your brain’s map of the world, from simple and effective to complex and powerful. I’ve listed a few that you can start implementing on your own. One key thing to remember: when new positive messages and experiences begin to outweigh former negative ones, change occurs!

• Watch your language! Change your internal and external dialogue to match who you want to be, not what you think you are. I think you will be amazed at what you discover.
  “I am always late” becomes “I am on time when I choose to be”
  “I don’t have time to exercise” becomes “I could make time if I chose to”
  “I don’t know how to do that” becomes “I can learn how to do that”
  “I am stuck in this job” becomes “I am considering my options”
  “I can’t do it” becomes “I can do it if I really want to”.
• Raise your fear factor. The brain often perceives risk where there isn’t one. How often have you finally done something you’ve been afraid of and realized, “That wasn’t so bad”! You can retrain your brain to a more accurate perception of fear by recognizing what you are fearful of and then doing it. Start small and work your way up. For you, it may be asking your boss for that raise or picking up the phone to cold call a prospect. Next thing you know, you’ll be bunging jumping over the Bloukrans river!
• Surround your brain with an environment that supports the change you want. If you want to change careers but can’t seem to take the first step, spend time with others that have done so successfully. If you want to start a business but feel stuck at the idea stage, subscribe to Entrepreneur Magazine. If you want to overcome a fear of public speaking, join Toastmasters (no one has died from it yet)!