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Life has a funny way of testing our thoughts and beliefs, often when we least expect it. For example, one morning I woke up feeling like a million bucks—energized, focused, and ready to tackle the day. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but before I knew it, bam, my back went into excruciating pain, and I couldn’t move. Talk about a plot twist!
A few days later, as a friend was driving me to an acupuncture appointment, she looked at me and said, “You must be going crazy!” It was a well-meaning attempt at comfort, but it made me pause. Not in the way you’d think though—I realized that my reaction was different from what it would have been in the past. I wasn’t spiraling into frustration or thinking I was losing my mind. In fact, I was oddly excited by my calmness. I had finally stopped fighting against things I couldn’t control.
For years, I would have been angry and upset, maybe even convinced that something was “wrong” with me. But now, I saw proof that it is possible to change the way we think, even when things don’t go according to plan. With enough effort and focus, you can shift your mindset, and over time, it becomes second nature.
The Back Pain Realization: Life Doesn’t Always Follow the Script
Now, don’t get me wrong, my back pain definitely tested my resolve. I mean, I was lying there unable to move, wondering, “Why me? I eat healthy, juice almost daily, and stay active. What gives?” Initially, I couldn’t help but ask why—not just to figure out how to avoid it in the future, but to try to make sense of the irony of it all. After all, I did everything right, and this still happened. My belief? I thought I could prevent anything like this from happening, simply by being healthy.
But here’s the big realization: No matter how healthy or positive you are, you can’t prevent every “negative” thing from happening. Sometimes, stuff just happens. Whether it’s a result of things you’ve done in the past or simply random, the key is how you respond. The more we reflect and learn from the situations that arise, the easier it becomes to grow from them.
A Few Self-Reflective Moments (and Some Surprising Culprits)
As I reflected on the weeks leading up to my back pain, I realized there were a few things that might have contributed to the problem. First, there was my adorable grandson, who I’d been carrying around on my hip way more than my body was happy with. I remember joking at the time, “I think that just hurt my back!” Turns out, I wasn’t kidding.
Then, there was my new, “comfy” chair that I loved to sit in while enjoying my morning coffee. After a few days, I realized it was terrible for my posture—an issue I hadn’t noticed until it was too late. And lastly, my exercise routine, which I thought was perfectly balanced, was actually missing one key element: stretching. Yes, cardio is great, but I wasn’t giving my body the flexibility it needed.
The big takeaway here? Even with the best intentions, things slip through the cracks. And sometimes, it’s not just about being more “healthy”—it’s about being more mindful of how your actions and environment affect your well-being.
Changing Your Thoughts and Beliefs: It’s Not Just About Health
This isn’t just about avoiding back pain, though. The same concept applies to every area of life—especially in the workplace. How you communicate, both with yourself and others, is a direct reflection of your thoughts and beliefs. Is your mindset helping or hindering you? A small shift in perspective, even just a 3-degree change, can make a big difference.
For example, start believing in your team’s abilities. Think positively about their productivity, and your communication will naturally shift to reflect that. Over time, you’ll see the effects—more empowered, motivated, and productive people around you.
The Journey of Change: Progress, Not Perfection
I’ve made some real progress with shifting my thoughts and beliefs, but I’m not satisfied enough to think I’ve “arrived” yet. It’s a continuous journey, and each life event is an opportunity to grow, learn, and get even better at mastering my mindset. Recognizing that we can control our thoughts and beliefs makes life—and all of its bumps along the way—a lot more enjoyable.
So, what about you? Can you think of a time when you became more aware of your thoughts or beliefs? How did that shift impact your life?
If you haven’t had that “aha” moment lately, I encourage you to try the FREE GRIT Self-Awareness Assessment—it might just give you the clarity you need to spark your own transformation!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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