Utilize the power of thoughts
Want to know how you can become more productive? How you can pursue your goals without being derailed by obstacles along the path to success? Then you’ve come to the right place because here you’ll learn how you can harness the power of your own thoughts.
What is cognitive self-leadership skill?
Cognitive self-leadership skill involves consciously setting a goal and achieving it through your thinking. Often, we fail to reach our goals simply because we give up halfway. The cause: negative thoughts. Phrases like “I can’t do this” or “It’s impossible to accomplish” indicate a lack of cognitive self-leadership skill. Cognitive self-leadership skill enables people to develop a motivating mindset and avoid irrational thought patterns on the path to their goals.
How can one acquire this cognitive self-leadership skill?
First, you should know that you are indeed capable of controlling and managing your thoughts. You may now think that it’s not as easy as it sounds, and you’re right. It’s not about controlling every thought but rather identifying whether each thought brings you closer to your goal or holds you back. Thoughts like those listed above hinder your pursuit of goals because they make you doubt your own abilities. You should be aware that you possess everything it takes to achieve your goal. Ensure that your goals are realistic and attainable.
You can even set challenging and ambitious goals. As the saying goes, “nothing is impossible.” This holds true under one condition: if you believe in yourself! The power of your thoughts plays a crucial role here because with a positive mindset, you can visualize your goal clearly and let nothing and no one – not even negative thoughts – stop you. It’s about how you mobilize your own willpower and overcome obstacles.
What if…: Your superpower
What if you could achieve all your goals? If your thoughts could be turned into action? Just imagen you could acquire a superpower that turns all your “what ifs” into reality? And what if I told you that you have what it takes to achieve all of that? The superpower lies within your thoughts. By approaching goal pursuit with positive thoughts and reinforcing your belief that you are capable of achieving that goal, you possess exactly that superpower. Often, all those “what ifs” are just a thought away from realization. In most cases, the right mindset is all it takes to motivate you to move forward. Therefore, consciously decide what and how you think!
It’s important to rid yourself of hindering thoughts and not give them any space in your mind when they arise. Motivate yourself with positive and driving thoughts, which you can also write down to remind yourself. Positive affirmations are key to success. Even in considering whether it’s worth pursuing a goal, positive thoughts and belief in your competence coupled with a healthy self-assessment are linked.
Directing thought processes in the right direction and activating the willpower necessary for the set goal is part of cognitive self-leadership. Often, professionals athletes use this method to envision what it takes to achieve their goal and then act accordingly. For example, basketball legend Michael Jordan envisioned making a perfect shot before every game to mentally prepare for the game and the goal.
Use the power of your thoughts even in failures: still see the good in them and learn from them. If you learn to see failures as opportunities, you can continue pursuing the goal with new knowledge and more experience.
Tips and tricks for cognitive self-leadership:
- Mentally simulate your path to the goal to be able to visualize it.
- Be aware of why you want to achieve the goal and how you will reward yourself for it. Use these thoughts to motivate yourself to keep going – even in difficult times.
- Set a concrete goal for yourself today and tell yourself that you can achieve it.
- Find people who inspire and motivate you.
- Imagine how a fictional person (or your better/future self) would behave or act to achieve your goal. Act accordingly.
These tips will help you train and improve your cognitive self-leadership. Always remember: positive thoughts can work wonders and keep you moving forward with purpose.
