What you think about!

A member of a VA chat forum mentioned that he was looking forward to going virtual fulltime and hoped it would happen by the end of this year (2006). His comment took me back about 14 or so years ago, to a mentor in my life who was also a doctor in psychosomatic medicine outside of our business connections. He taught me about the RAS.

The reticular activation system (RAS) states that our minds are drawn towards what we think about. Have you noticed how when something in particular is on your mind you see that thing wherever you go? Perhaps it’s a particular model of car or colour? Perhaps it’s because you desperately want a family that everywhere you look there are pregnant women or women pushing strollers. Or you’re thinking about a particular style of clothing and you see people everywhere in that style? Whatever it is, that’s the RAS in action.

It works in reverse to, i.e. in a negative manner. Ever tried teaching someone to drive and told them not to hit that… only to have them do that very thing?

My response to this VA was: “Keep thinking ‘virtual’ because as you do, opportunities will open up in front of you – they’ll always be there anyway, but unless your mind’s eye is open to them, you’ll be blind to them. Eventually it will seem that lots of doors have opened to you.”

I encourage you, too, to keep foremost in your mind what you want to happen. Carry with you a small affirmation card with a list of points or items relating to that thing – or have signs up on your wall in your office, or bathroom, or kitchen. Keep that thing in front of you and on your mind, and things will happen! KMT.