Chapter 1: The Power of Belief

Master your thoughts, or they will master you.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: Pexels

"Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t — you’re right."

? Henry Ford

This quote struck me profoundly. Could it be that simply believing in my own capabilities could lead to real change?

In 2016, I found myself facing significant challenges in my career. With layoffs becoming commonplace, every day felt precarious. My colleagues were departing, either moving on to new teams or leaving the company entirely.

To complicate matters, my performance review that year was disappointing. Although my clients were satisfied with my efforts, my manager had a different opinion. I was putting in extra hours, striving to surpass expectations while managing multiple job interviews weekly.

Having dedicated over ten years to my job and envisioning a future there, I realized I had become too complacent, and that was where my struggles began.

However, life had other plans. I couldn't stay in an environment where I felt unappreciated. Many of us can relate to this feeling, right?

After nearly a year of searching, I secured a new position in the same industry, nearly doubling my salary. My colleagues, friends, and even my manager were taken aback — they didn’t expect a female employee to leave, as the prevailing notion was that women should simply remain silent and work hard, particularly as a “diversity candidate.” One colleague even remarked, “You’re a diversity hire. You can’t be fired. Just relax.” That fueled my determination.

Despite attractive counteroffers from my previous employer, I took a risk and accepted the new role. Although the responsibilities were daunting, I embraced the challenge. In my new position, I flourished — gaining recognition as a leader, mentor, and collaborator.

I was astounded by my achievements. That was when I truly understood how our beliefs can either confine us or propel us forward.

Since then, I have not shied away from stepping out of my comfort zone. This mindset likely motivated me to pursue writing after leaving that job, even when uncertainty loomed.

In her TED Talk, “Change Your Mindset, Change Your Game,” Dr. Alia Crum, a psychologist and researcher, examines how our mindset influences our health and behavior. She provides compelling examples demonstrating how our beliefs shape our reality.

One notable example comes from an experiment conducted by Dr. Fabrizio Benedetti and his team in Italy, who studied patients undergoing thoracic surgery, an invasive procedure requiring significant incisions. After the anesthesia wore off, patients experienced considerable pain.

Patients were administered morphine sulfate for pain relief. In one instance, half received morphine directly from a doctor, while the other half received the same dosage through a pre-programmed IV pump without their awareness.

The results were remarkable. Those who knew they were receiving morphine reported significant pain relief, while those who were unaware experienced little to no relief. The same medication, in identical doses, produced vastly different results based solely on patients' awareness.

To explore the immediate connection between mindset and bodily responses, Dr. Crum and her colleagues at Yale conducted another experiment. They prepared a batch of milkshakes and invited participants to taste them for $75. Here's the twist: they had to be connected to an IV to measure their ghrelin levels — the hormone responsible for hunger.

The first milkshake was branded “Sensi-Shake — Guilt-Free Satisfaction,” containing zero fat, 140 calories, and no added sugar. After consuming it, participants’ ghrelin levels dropped only slightly, indicating they still felt hungry.

Surprisingly, both milkshakes were identical. Participants' perceptions of what they consumed directly influenced their bodily reactions.

So, what implications does this have for us? Can we adjust our mindsets for better outcomes? The answer is a resounding yes. While we cannot always dictate what happens to us, we can control our reactions.

Consider this: if your first five business ventures failed, would you throw in the towel? Or would you persist, much like Colonel Sanders of KFC, who launched the fast-food chain at 62 after numerous setbacks? Or like Walt Disney, who faced bankruptcy and countless rejections before establishing one of the most iconic brands globally?

The takeaway is clear: Don’t wait for the stars to align. Begin where you are with what you have. That’s all you need to start your journey toward your aspirations.

For more insights, check out the full TED Talk for additional examples that reinforce this principle.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change

The first video titled "Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life with Garrain Jones" illustrates the transformative power of belief and how it can lead to significant life changes.

The second video, "Change Your Mind and Change Your Story," offers further insights on the importance of mindset in shaping our narratives and experiences.

If you want to explore more enlightening content on business, writing, and marketing, consider subscribing. Each post will keep you informed and help you Create Wealth with Words.

That’s all for today.

Stay Inspired,

Let’s connect!

Twitter (X) | LinkedIn | Medium | Instagram

Interested in more stories? Join Sweet Publications!

Sweet.pub is a community for everyone — Short, Long, Niche, and Deep.

Uncover the stories that resonate with your heart!

This article was published on September 7th, 2024, in Deep. Sweet. Valuable. publication.