Building positivity and resilience through programming your mind
The power of our Reticular Activating System (RAS)
What is the RAS?
The RAS is a net like bundle of nerve cells in the brainstem that filters out the massive overload of daily sensory data, letting in only what it deems important and blocking out what it deems unimportant.
A visual may be to think of the RAS as the “bouncer” with the control to decide who or what is invited into our brain.
Only four types of information consistently bypass this filter: the sound of our name, physical threats, romantic/sexual interest indicators, and anything we consciously decide is important.
How does the RAS decide what to bring into our conscious awareness?
The RAS “invites in” everything that it thinks is important to us.
How does it know what is important to us? What if I have never programmed it?
Here’s the really interesting thing. Our RAS is already being programmed even if we are not doing it on purpose. It is programmed by all our self-talk. And if we are engaged in a loop of negative self-doubting talk that is what will be programming our mind. Our RAS will be looking out for the negative because that is where we have put our focus and our energy. Hence we may only see the one thing we have done badly that day rather than the 30 things we have done well.
Can I reprogramme my RAS?
The answer is YES and it can start today. We have to be INTENTIONAL in our focus. When we repeatedly tell our brain that something matters (through focus or morning affirmations), we update the "guest list" so it scans the environment for matching opportunities rather than threats.
It works with simple sentences and affirmations that we say to ourselves ideally in the morning when we are most receptive. It will change the filter in our brain – this is a scientific neurological fact. The programming works with daily repetition retraining the filter over 30-60 days.
The mindset we have is our filter. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy like the algorithm in social media – we keep seeing more and more of the things that we have indicated are important/interesting to us.
Can you give examples of good prompts for programming the brain?
The aim here is to get our brain to “invite in” positivity, resilience, hope and create the setting for spotting opportunities. These following sentences do exactly that:
1. Today is going to be a great day.
2. Something unexpected and good is going to happen for me today.
3. No matter what happens today, I can handle it.
4. An exciting new chapter in my life is starting today.
5. I need to give myself more credit for how hard I’m trying.
6. I’m allowed to be a work in progress.
7. If I keep showing up, life will reward me.
8. I have an important contribution to make to the world.
Bringing more understanding to these 8 sentences
“Today is going to be a great day.”
This sets you up heading out into the day with positivity. Would you like your default setting to be in a good mood? You can train yourself to have that skill. We accept that lots of people appear to be in a bad mood for no reason. We can flip this and. train ourselves to be in a good mood for no reason. With a good attitude our brain will be open to experiencing more good things.
“Something unexpected and good is going to happen for me today.”
This puts anticipation into our brain to actively look out for something surprising and good.
“No matter what happens today, I can handle it.”
This is an anchor. Anxiety is a moment of uncertainty where you doubt your ability to handle something. With this affirmation you are summoning up your resilience. It is particularly helpful in the morning when we are triggered by the cortisol awakening response which can lead to racing thoughts and a sense of dread.
“An exciting new chapter in my life is starting today.”
It may sound overly dramatic to call it a chapter. It is really a reminder that we have a fresh start every day and that we are ready for change. It is in your power to create a new beginning whenever you want, you do not have to wait for something to end.
“I need to give myself more credit for how hard I am trying.”
Train yourself to stop criticising yourself. Celebrate the wins and not just the big wins but all the small daily achievements as a result of your consistent effort. For true self esteem if is important not to look outside yourself for validation. Give yourself credit.
“I am allowed to be a work in progress.”
This is so nurturing. It will help those living with the weight of perfectionism You don’t have to have all the answers ….. You will figure it out over time.
“If I keep showing up, life will reward me.”
The name of the game of life is not quitting. You are telling your brain you are not a quitter. You are programming your brain for stamina and hope.
“I have an important contribution to make to the world.”
This is not a self important exaggerated statement. It affirms the deep belief that you hold quietly. It speaks to the powerful ripple effect of your kindness and energy.