September 17, 2014

Do You Know Where Your Thoughts Are Leading You?

It was only five minutes. But in just five minutes a day, over a 30 day period, a profound change had taken place. How could it be possible that such a dramatic shift could take place in just five minutes a day?

Dr. Jack Haskins is a media expert. A professor at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Haskins studies the effects of media on how people think. In one of his studies he assembled a group of people, divided them into two groups, and exposed them to a daily five minute radio program for 30 days. 

The first group listened to positive and uplifting news. Their five minute news program was filled with stories of hope, faith, and encouragement. The second group listened to five minutes of negative news that was filled with death, destruction, suffering, and disappointment.

When Dr. Haskins evaluated the group that had consumed the negative news program he discovered four shifts in their thinking.

  1. They were more depressed than before.
  2. They believed the world was a negative place.
  3. They were less likely to help others.
  4. They began to believe what they heard would soon happen to them.

It was only five minutes a day. It was only for 30 days. How could such a dramatic shift in their thinking take place in such a short period of time?

Our inputs shape our thinking and ultimately our perceptions and realities.

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” 

— James Allen

The mind is powerful. The brain takes in all information and experiences and then processes them in ways that may be unexpected.

One word went up on the screen.

P O T S

The audience was asked to read the word. They responded, “POTS”. They were then asked to spell the word aloud, “POTS.” “Again, POTS.” “Again, POTS.”

What do you do when you come to a green light? “Stop”, rings out from the audience.

Wait a minute. Everyone knows you go when you come to a green light. Why did so many people say stop? Because POTS spelled backwards is stop. The mind is powerful and does not filter inputs we expose ourselves to. The mind takes it in and then based on circumstance and situation draws upon what it has stored up and generates a response.

We can change the course and trajectory of our lives by changing our thinking. We can change our thinking by changing the sources of information, music, television, movies, and people we engage with consistently.

“What a wee little part of a person’s life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts, not those other things, are his history.”

—Mark Twain

 Here is a menu for great thinking. Think about and dwell upon whatever is:

  • True
  • Honorable
  • Pure
  • Pleasing
  • Commendable
  • Excellent
  • Praise worthy

“We cannot live positive and impactful lives if we are dining on a diet of that is negative, cynical, and pessimistic.” 

What impact do you think not watching or listening to mainstream news would have on your outlook?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let's work together.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram