We are what we think

The statement “we are what we think” underlines the significant influence of our thoughts on our identity and reality. Have you ever heard or perhaps even said “I have a positive mind” “I always see the glass as half full” “I’m never lucky” “I only attract bad people”?

In “Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill illustrates this idea. Imagine a person who wants to start a business. If he is convinced of his success and constantly visualizes it, he is more likely to take decisive action and overcome obstacles. On the other hand, if they doubt their abilities and constantly fear failure, they may hesitate or even avoid potential opportunities.

Our thoughts also have the power to shape our perception of the world and influence our actions. David J. Schwartz, in “The Magic of Thinking Big”, encourages us to adopt a positive attitude and a broad vision to overcome challenges. Suppose a person has a fear of heights. If she continues to focus on this fear, she may avoid experiences such as air travel or rock climbing, thus limiting her life experiences. If she decides to think more positively and face her fear, she could broaden her horizons and enjoy more rewarding experiences.

Napoleon Hill’s “Outwitting the Devil” explores the idea that fear, often generated by our negative thoughts, can become a major obstacle to success. Imagine a student who is afraid of failing an important exam. This fear can hinder his ability to concentrate and prepare properly, increasing the chances of failure. By controlling his thoughts and overcoming this fear, he can prepare better and increase his chances of success.

Finally, “The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham” by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks develops the idea that our thoughts and feelings attract our reality. If someone spends his time lamenting his lack of money, he remains focused on lack and therefore attracts more lack. On the contrary, if he focuses on abundance and gratitude for what he already has, he can attract more abundance into his life.

In conclusion, the statement “we are what we think” underlines the primordial importance of our thoughts in creating our reality and identity. It is therefore crucial to be aware of our thoughts and direct them in a positive way to influence our lives in a beneficial way.

Here are a few references on the subject:

1. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
2. “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill
3. “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz
4. “The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham” by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks
5. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck
6. “The Power of Now” by Eck
   Now that we’ve said that, how do we reprogram ourselves towards more positivity?
   How to change your thoughts and adopt a more positive state of mind is a process that can take time, but there are several concrete techniques for it:
7. The practice of gratitude: Spending time each day acknowledging what you’re grateful for can help refocus your thoughts on the positive aspects of your life. For example, you could keep a gratitude journal in which you write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
8. Meditation and mindfulness: These practices can help you focus on the present and reduce negative or anxious thoughts. You can start by meditating for 5 to 10 minutes a day, simply focusing on your breathing.
9. Visualization: This technique involves imagining a positive scenario or outcome that you want to achieve. For example, if you want to succeed in a job interview, you can visualize the interview going perfectly and feeling confident and at ease.
10. Cognitive restructuring: This technique, often used in cognitive-behavioral therapy, involves identifying and challenging negative or irrational thoughts. For example, if you think: “I’m rubbish at everything”, you could ask yourself what facts support this assertion and find evidence to the contrary.
11. Self-compassion: It’s important to learn to be gentle with yourself and treat yourself with kindness. This can involve talking to yourself as you would to a friend going through a difficult time.
    Here are a few books that can help you delve deeper into these techniques and adopt a more positive frame of mind:
12. “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale
13. “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor
14. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck
15. “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle
16. “Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life” by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell
17. “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero
18. “10% Happier” by Dan Harris
19. “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz
20. “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy” by David D. Burns
21. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl