I was reflecting earlier today about my year thus far. And the dominating question was, whether or not I have been intentional about my growth this year.
While I knew what the word intentional meant, I had a hard time pinpointing what intentional looked like in practicality.
What does intentional mean from day to day? How can I be certain that I have been, if I cannot reference something tangible or measurable?
And that’s when it hit me, that I am looking at this problem with an engineer’s perspective as opposed to a psychological one.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right” — Henry Ford
Let me share a bit more.
When I was in high school, I had this obsessional drive to understand how my mind worked. I would not go a day without researching something in relation to the mind. I was super curious because a part of me sensed that it was customizable. As if to describe a product, I thought of my mind as something that was easily malleable — a “thing” that could drastically transform into something new.
This belief drove me to search and find books; articles, and all types of resources.
These resources eventually drove me into the science of personal development.
The science of personal development is the most intriguing, and surprisingly captivating subject that I have had the pleasure of studying.
It has exposed me to so much of this world that I could not, by myself, have explored.
And the most consistent theme has been belief.
“Belief in oneself and knowing who you are, I mean, that’s the foundation for everything great” — Jay Z.
A belief is something you hold dare to you. It is something that you value highest among many things. It is something you reference daily with much frequency.
Eventually, with repetition, it starts to shape your mindset.
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength” — Marcus Aurelius
And turns out, your mindset ends up being the over arching filtration system that either accepts or rejects your day to day thoughts.
So if you come across a thought/idea that refuses to stick around, then it’s a sign that you might have a negating belief about that thought.
For example, when I was in college, going through the engineering department, I struggled to believe and accept that I could do well as an engineer, being that I am black.
At the time, I hadn’t really heard of black engineers who I could have looked up to for inspiration, and so I assumed that I didn’t really belong there. It became the defining belief that discouraged my engagement and interest.
Without engagement and interest, I struggled to maintain a good grade in the related classes. I didn’t quite walk away with an F, but I walked away with a diminished sense of self esteem and excitement for learning.
So as you can see, your belief system has a quite a lot to do with your results. It either strengthens your journey or it becomes a wall that stops any momentum.
And so I encourage you to monitor your thoughts and beliefs. It might be the foundation, that once you properly lay it, can be the vehicle that helps you live life on your own terms.
Originally for Anonymouslly
