| There's been a significant amount of press about | | | | Once we do that, we change what Assaraf calls |
| the Laws of Attraction, The Secret and other | | | | our "reticular activation system." This modifies the |
| programs designed to help you attain your | | | | list of things our brains focus on as being |
| personal vision of success. Each approach has its | | | | important and we suddenly begin to see |
| devotees, of course, as well as its detractors; | | | | opportunities differently. We can set goals that |
| what's been missing is hard, empirical proof that | | | | are realistic but not limited by negative thinking; |
| human beings can think their way to a better | | | | for example, when you think about making more |
| lifestyle. | | | | money, think of a million a year rather than |
| Now there's scientific evidence to prove that we | | | | $100,000. |
| can. Studies show that there are several types of | | | | To succeed we need to have clarity and focus |
| chemical changes which occur in the brain when | | | | and to absolutely believe we have the ability to |
| we mentally work on achieving personal or | | | | manifest such opportunities and do what we need |
| financial growth. For example, research at the | | | | to do to meet our goals. This will take some |
| University of Wisconsin found that meditation had | | | | work since 75% of our beliefs tend to be |
| a profound effect on the level of gamma rays in | | | | negative and that negativity is both genetically and |
| their subjects. | | | | behaviorally based. Even those of us who think |
| These changes can happen in both the conscious | | | | positively on a conscious level can believe |
| and sub-conscious parts of our minds and, in fact, | | | | differently in the subconscious. |
| it's when we affect the sub-conscious that we | | | | We can alter this dynamic through neural |
| really master The Laws of Attraction. You can | | | | reconditioning - that is, by creating the positive |
| truly learn to Change Your Brain, Change Your | | | | neuro-patterns (i.e., beliefs) that we want in our |
| Life. | | | | brains to support the new vision we've set for |
| John Assaraf, author of The Neuroscience of | | | | ourselves. |
| Financial Success (as well as the New York Times | | | | This is actually easier than it sounds; everyone |
| best seller, The Street Kids Guide to Having It All) | | | | can do it! Start identifying negative thoughts as |
| has studied the effects of positive thinking on the | | | | soon as they appear in your conscious mind and |
| brain for 20 years and says there is an "inside | | | | immediately think of the reverse. Here's an |
| mental game" that can help you tell your brain's | | | | example: if you've been on an interview and find |
| version of Google exactly what you want it to | | | | yourself thinking of all the reasons you won't get |
| search for in the outside environment. And, yes, it | | | | the job, immediately change the message you're |
| involves quantum physics. | | | | giving yourself. Tell yourself that you were |
| Luckily the physics will take care of itself while we | | | | articulate and knowledgeable and that you will get |
| learn how to improve our brains and take a | | | | the position. |
| positive attitude to everything around us. We | | | | Then visualize yourself at that job - sitting in the |
| begin to understand that our objective world | | | | executive chair, conducting successful meetings, |
| depends on what our internal mental allows us to | | | | etc. Do this every time and you will definitely |
| see. In other words, an event in our life matters | | | | begin to believe in your own capabilities and a |
| less than our perception of that event. We can't | | | | positive outcome to every opportunity. Over |
| change the facts but we can alter their meaning | | | | time, these new beliefs will become habits and |
| and importance level. | | | | you'll find yourself creating the life you desire. |