Pay attention to what you pay attention to

Our minds are wired to focus on threats or negatives. It’s part of how we evolved to survive. Caution of the unknown as we assess a possible threat. But here’s the catch, in today’s world, constantly zooming in on the “bad” does more harm than good. Most of our threats are now only irrational projections of the future. It blinds us to the positive and robs us of opportunities to grow.

Redirecting your attention is the key. It’s not about ignoring the challenges or pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about intentionally shifting your focus to the good that does exist and asking yourself, “What can I learn from this?”

When you focus on the positive, you train your brain to notice opportunities, strengths, and progress. This simple shift helps you build resilience, embrace a growth mindset, and see setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

Next time you catch your brain with that magnifying glass over something negative, pause. Look for the good pile your heart is pointing out. Start small with gratitude, look for the beauty around you, share in a strangers smile, see your progress, or even search for a lesson learned. Over time, you’ll find your mindset naturally leaning toward growth and positivity.

So, what are you choosing to focus on today, the “bad” or the mountain of “good”?