How your thoughts impact success

Have you heard of the thought - emotion - action cycle? 

It’s the idea that the thoughts we have create the emotions we experience which in turn dictate the actions we take (or don’t take). Think about if you’re looking for a new job and thinking ‘I’m never going to find something that’s the right fit’, then you’ll probably feel defeated, sad, or hopeless, right? And maybe these feelings lead you to procrastinate (why do it if you already know that there’s nothing good to find?), worry (what if there’s not something out there for me?), or settle for a less-than-ideal new job.

As we look towards the new year, many of us create goals or resolutions that target the end part of this cycle - action. And that makes total sense. Action is tangible and makes us feel like this is the year we’re actually going to cook dinner 5 times a week, travel to 3 new countries, or send that birthday gift before their birthday.   

And hey, there’s nothing wrong with SMART goals. But what if we’re paying attention to the wrong end of the thought - emotion - action cycle? 

According to this cognitive behavioral cycle, success starts with our thoughts. Our thoughts!!!! Did your stomach just drop?! That news could either be really good or really bad depending on what goes on in your head. 

If we really want something in our life to change, our thoughts are actually where we should focus our initial effort. From there, as we gain more awareness around what our thoughts are, we can start intentionally choosing how we want to think. And when we’re thinking empowering things, we can take tangible steps towards goals more easily and sustainably.

In my January workshop series, Purposeful, we’ll be using this lens to reflect on the mindsets we carried in 2023 as well as the ones we want to lead us into 2024. I’d love to have you join us.

Notice some of your thought - emotion - action cycles the rest of this week: What are some common thoughts you have? How do you feel after you have them? What do you do or not do next? I’d love to hear what you learn!