Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking

Michael and Megan write a captivating argument about how we follow the stories we tell ourselves. Inspired by research and experience, they will carry you through the process of dismantling and improving this mechanic in our thinking. However, I found these resources to be excellent for beginners in the topic. If you have experience with psychotherapy, meditation, or self-help, or are informed about brain research, this book might not be for you.

This is not a Bible study nor an overtly Christian book. But as I read Mind Your Mindset, I read it with a Christian lens. Throughout the book, I was reminded of Bible passages that speak of the importance of our thoughts. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we’re told to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Philippians 4:8 says to fix our thoughts on “true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable” things. I thought these passages meant I needed to control my thinking: think “good” things and don’t think “bad” things. It sounded simple, but it wasn’t. Nagging fears persisted. Some thoughts popped up out of nowhere, it seemed. And some thinking wasn’t as simple as “good” or “bad” on the surface. I understood that my thoughts had an impact on how I felt and the choices I made, but there were areas in my life that didn’t have the victory I knew I could have in Christ—despite my best efforts of thinking “good” thoughts. In reading Mind Your Mindset, I not only found a method for digging deeper into my thinking but also a better way to capture my thoughts. Instead of trying to control myself by sheer willpower, I am evaluating my thinking at a deeper level, distinguishing fact from emotion and perspective, and telling myself a better story—a story that is rightly directing my beliefs, emotions, and choices. This shift requires humility, community, and a willingness to make a change. I have already benefitted from the book, and I have loads of my own stories to reevaluate. Mind Your Mindset is a beautiful mix of geeky brain information with practical application. If you want to learn how to change your life by changing your thinking, this book is a great start.

I have been trying forever it seems to reach the weight goal I set for myself. I’ve tried tracking my food, racking up the Zone minutes on my Fitbit, joined accountability groups and even paid for online challenges thinking surely if I pay I will do this. But something always seems to get in my way. Mind Your Mindset helped me see the real problem is my thinking. Basically, I've been getting in my own way. The lie I’ve believed is a story that says "You know you always gain back the weight you lose." That is the voice of my Narrator. I named her Gaye with and e because she can be quite feisty at times. The book showed me how to search out the false stories I believe, shine a light on them and write a new script that serves me better. I would highly recommend reading it if you keep setting goals every year but never quite reach them. Is the common denominator, YOU? Actually it's your stories. Some books I've bought would just say focus on the goal, set your why, and give meal/exercise plans. I would show some success initially but then Gaye would pop up and somehow that translated into missed exercise sessions or snacking in the eating in front of the TV. This book showed me how to find the story that's holding me back. I was really interested in learning the science behind the way the mind works. It's made it a little more clear to me why I haven't succeeded....yet. My favorite quote from the book was "If the only thoughts you are willing to think are the ones you currently have, then the only results you'll get are the ones you are getting. Now I know to separate the facts from my assumptions. Then I can use that data to better my habits and my thinking. I can become the person who does what she says she's going to do.