You are Not Your Thoughts, but the Awareness that Observes Your Thoughts
Self-awareness is something I’ve been meditating on for a long time. But more than just being self-aware… taking action to make significant changes in the models that drive my behavior.
Our mental models are the operating system underneath all our actions. They determine what opportunities you receive, what solutions seem viable, and what outcomes feel possible. Self-constraining destructive habits and limiting beliefs are your problem.
It (is) about what you do, but it’s even more important to mold the (do) around (who we are) or (who we want to be).
Some notes from my reflections:
6 Mental Operating System Upgrades for Progressive Success in Life
Upgrade Your Mental Operating System: Recognize that your mental models are the invisible framework shaping your reality. They dictate what you see as possible and influence your solutions and outcomes. Don't be a fish unaware of the water around you. Actively examine and upgrade your mental models to open yourself up to new possibilities and progress.
Master Your Most Valuable Currency: Attention: In today's world of constant distractions, attention management is a superpower, far surpassing time management. Practice radical selectivity and embrace the power of selective ignorance. Your attention is your time. Your time is the life. Don’t waste it.
Bridge the Implementation Gap: Knowing isn't the same as doing. Embrace tiny, consistent actions over sporadic heroic efforts; the compound effect applies to all areas of life. This is the Scrum and Agile way. You know this.
Design Systems for Success, Not Just Willpower: Your environment trumps willpower every time. Instead of trying to become more disciplined, design systems that make the desired behavior the path of least resistance. Focus on systems instead of just goals; systems create lasting results.
Embrace Identity-Based Transformation: Lasting change happens when you target your identity, not just behaviors. Instead of saying "I want to be a writer," say "I am a writer". Understand that you are the awareness observing your thoughts, not the thoughts themselves. This allows you to become the architect of your mental patterns. Identity-based changes trump goal-based changes.
Establish Networks for Feedback Loops: You’re not that smart. Neither am I. Having networks that give you quick cycle-time of feedback are invaluable. Increasing networks compound your ability to see and take opportunities never realized before. I’m excited to invest in such products that help in this regard. I hope to see you there at our next networking event and conference!
One thing I tell my children often is:
“You never have to act on how you feel.”
This is a simple exercise for observing and recognizing the mental models, patterns, and errant software that is running in their brains.
We recognize, we inspect, adapt, and improve.
TL;DR - Don’t let them steal your joy. What you think about is what you become.
All the best,
ps