“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change, rather than allowing it to master you.” Sri Ram
Do you ever change your mindset channel and tune into a much happier, positive and peaceful channel?
You know those times when you have something weighing on your mind, OR someone has said something to push your buttons, OR you just have way too much to do and feel overwhelmed … how do you respond?
Are you able to not feel dragged down by whatever is going on and instead change your channel to a better frequency?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of getting too sucked in and just reacting to whatever is going on. We’re unhappy with the situation and can end up getting all worked up.
The negative energy starts flowing and before we realize it we are in a downward cycle and at the mercy of our emotions that are running wild.
If any of this sounds familiar, then you know exactly what I am talking about and trust me, we are not the only ones. This is such a common issue.
In fact, I was talking to my friend the other day and she was telling me about how she recently had to make herself flip to another channel because she noticed she was about to slip into the downward cycle.
And, that is really what it is all about.
When we find ourselves in this situation, we are being given the opportunity to strengthen our ability to change from a lower frequency channel to a higher frequency channel.
We are supposed to be doing our mindset “situps” and “pushups” and come out stronger on the other end.
But, let’s be honest, it can be easy to lose sight of that reality.
Our minds are focused on all that has gone “wrong” and the last thing we want to hear is that we are going to be better and stronger because of what we have gone through.
I know exactly how heavy the moment and what you are going through can feel, but just because we may not be a fan of doing mindset “situps” and “pushups” doesn’t mean we don’t need them.
We have the opportunity to learn something from every experience that comes our way.
But, (and this is a big BUT), in order to be able to do that, we’ve got to recognize what’s going on and choose to do our part in the process.
We really do have amazing potential and can accomplish so much, but we have to understand how to continually stay on the higher channels. Those are the channels where all the “magic happens” and our talents come more and more alive.
We are going to have challenges that come our way and times when we feel “blah”.
That’s why we must have the tools in our toolkit to work through those times and tune into a channel that is more positive, upbeat, peaceful, and makes us feel a million times better. We really do get to choose how we respond, how we feel and how we manage through any situation that comes our way.
Why on earth would we choose to stay on a channel that is doing nothing good for us?
the steps to take to tune into a better channel:
STEP 1: Realize there are different channels and that you need to change to a higher channel.
STEP 2: Commit to do everything you need to in order to tune in. It isn’t always easy to just flip the channel.
STEP 3: Take 5 minutes (at most) to think about whatever is weighing on your mind. Put it into perspective and realize that your mind has a way of making things seem way worse than they actually are. Remind yourself this situation will pass and that as hard as it may be to believe, everything will unfold just as it should.
STEP 4: Move on. Change your focus from what has happened to your desire to change the channel. Don’t allow your mind to re-run negative thoughts you already had about the situation. That’s a waste of time and will not set you up to change the channel. It’s time to move on.
IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
STEP 5: Give yourself some extra “ME” time. Read your favorite inspirational or motivational book or do anything else that allows you to just relax and center yourself (Check this out. It’s what I use).
STEP 6: Move on with your day. Do only one task at a time and pour your attention and energy into whatever task you are currently doing. When you do things with the utmost quality, it requires all of your attention and this means your mind can’t wander (which is a great thing).
Stay on those higher channels TODAY. You will feel so much better and get great results.
Your post reminds me of what I used to tell my first year law students after their first set of exams. Most of them were top achieving students or successful in their jobs before coming to law school. Even though I reminded them before exams that 90% of them would not be in the top 10%, and to see that they were in good company, still, it was a blow to those who expected to be in that 10%. So I told them to give themselves a set period of time to be disappointed–an hour, half a day, not longer than one day–and then let it go and move on. I made them write this down–”If the best thing you can say about your life 20 years from now is that you got good grades in law school, that’s pathetic. If the worst thing you can say about your life 20 years from now is that you got bad grades in law school, you will be blessed.”
Changing the channel is an excellent analogy! Great post!
I love that, Galen! Can I steal that thought and use it with my AP Government students? What a wonderful professor you must have been!
I am a Galen fan as well:) I know she was definitely a wonderful professor. I wish I had her.
I Love that story Professor Galen
I also think that is a great concept to limit the time you stay on the wrong channel. It makes you understand that you really do have the power to control every minute of your life. It’s all up to you. Thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by.
think of your mind as a station that sends out energy signals- these energy signals your thought and belifs
I love that … Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
yes you are cent percent correct…………. if we see our problems in a perspective way, then we can manage it easily without getting tensed…….
You are so right. It’s all about your perspective and how you choose to respond. Thanks so much for the comment.
A “jewel” of a post, Sibyl. A heart-felt thanks for the ideas and inspiration. Great metaphor–metaphors are so cool. I’d like to comment on all your Steps! But to be brief, Step 1 is such simple idea, yet so powerful–having the paradigm-shifting realization that there IS such a thing as “different channels” (and that we may need to change to a different one). This realization can really get the ball rolling in a new direction for those who re open to it.
So many other great ideas–I love your substance and depth Sibyl.
Hey Sean: Thanks for the kind words and thanks for stopping by. I think what you pointed out about understanding there is a different channel to tune into is so important. Once you realize there is something else to tune into, it empowers you to make the right decision. Thanks so much for the comment.
I like what Stephen Covey says about us being “Response-able”.
If you are having a bad day, you have the ability to chose your response and to change if necissary.
You don’t have to be in a bad mood, you can change your mind (your channel) and become happy and glad. It is completely up to you.
Hey Daniel: I like that Stephen Covey quote you shared. It is right on point and you are so right that the choice is ours. Thanks for the comment and for stopping by.
Hi Sibyl,
I like how you set this one up from the start “changing the channel”. Very creative!
And, as you worked through the 6-step process, I appreciate that you provided an sequential order for one to follow.
First thing first we have to be aware of the fact that we can tune into another channel. Unlike cable, our channel selection is unlimited.
Great job!
JK: I think that is what it is all about … just as you mentioned, it is important to be aware that there is another channel for us to tune into. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for stopping by.
Wow – what a great metaphor for something that can be very hard to remember we have a choice about (at least when we’re stuck in the middle of it!)
This is a great reminder that no-one’s in charge of the channel we’re watching or listening to but us… so if we want to change it, it’s up to us to follow the steps.
Thanks for a great article!
Hey Tanj: Thanks for the comment. You are so right. It really is all up to us. All we have to do is commit to changing the channel and then take the steps we should. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Sibyl!
I love the simplicity of the metaphor and your honesty in suggesting changing out mental states will not always be literally as easy as changing a channel. But the concept is wonderful! We can, in fact, change the channels of our lives. And it all starts with the realization that there is a knob that can be turned; that we have ultimate control over what station plays on the screens of our minds and lives. This is a very empowering message! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Have an amazing weekend, Sibyl!
Hey Ken: You are so right that it is often easier said than done, but I think knowing it is possible shows us what to aim for. Thanks so much for the comment and dropping by. Hope you had an amazing weekend:)
Hi Sibyl,
Very nice post my friend. It is all about our attitude and how we respond to events. Once we change our focus and change our negative interpretation of events to something more positive, then we have eliminated the possibility of getting affected by this negativity. Thanks for sharing
Hey Dia: So true what you said. It’s all about our attitude and how we respond to events. The more control we have over that, the better.
I wanted to download the file to my iPad, but I dunno how, do U?
I think you can use an application called Flipboard, but I am sooo not tech savvy. Let me know if that works for you. Enjoy:)