Success is a State of Mind: Reticular Activating System (RAS)—the gatekeeper of your attention.

Ever wonder why certain things capture your attention while others fade into the background? That's the magic of your Reticular Activating System (RAS)— Your mind's personal assistant. Here's how to make it stronger...

It filters the vast array of information around you to focus on what's deemed important. The exciting part is that you can train your RAS to work in your favour, helping you notice more opportunities, positivity, and solutions. Let's explore 10 practical ways to harness this incredible tool and elevate your quality of life.

1. Set Clear Goals with Visualization

Your RAS craves clarity. When you define your goals in detail, your brain starts filtering for anything that helps you achieve them.

What to do: Write down specific, actionable goals. Instead of saying, "I want to be successful," try, "I want to increase my revenue by 20% within six months."

How to enhance it: Spend a few minutes visualizing yourself achieving that

goal. Picture it vividly—what does it look like, feel like, sound like? For instance, imagine shaking hands with a new client or celebrating a milestone with your team.

2. Create a Daily Affirmation Practice

Affirmations are like planting seeds in the garden of your RAS. The more you repeat positive statements, the more your brain will look for evidence to support them.

What to do: Choose affirmations that resonate with your goals, such as, "I am confident and capable" or "Every day, I move closer to my dreams."

How to enhance it: Say them with energy and conviction every morning, ideally in front of a mirror. It might feel awkward at first, but over time, it rewires your mindset.

3. Use Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude is like a magnet for the good in your life. When you focus on what you're thankful for, your RAS starts noticing more reasons to feel grateful.

What to do: Every evening, jot down 3-5 things you're grateful for. Be specific: "The warmth of sunlight on my face during my walk" beats "Nice weather."

How to enhance it: On tough days, revisit past entries to shift your mindset and remind yourself of the positives.

4. Practice Selective Focus

Your RAS works best when you give it something to look for. Make a habit of seeking out the good, even in challenging situations.

What to do: Set a daily focus theme, like "opportunities" or "acts of kindness." Challenge yourself to notice at least five examples throughout the day.

How to enhance it: Reflect at night—what did you notice? How did it change your perspective?

5. Reframe Negative Thoughts

Your RAS can't tell the difference between real threats and imagined ones, so redirect its focus when negativity creeps in.

What to do: Catch yourself when a limiting thought pops up (e.g., "I'll never get this right") and replace it with something empowering (e.g., "This is a learning opportunity").

How to enhance it: Write down your reframes in a journal to track your progress. Over time, you'll notice a shift in your inner dialogue.

6. Use Vision Boards

A vision board is like a cheat sheet for your RAS—a constant visual reminder of your goals and aspirations.

What to do: Create a board filled with images, quotes, and symbols that inspire you and reflect your goals.

How to enhance it: Place it somewhere you'll see daily, like your workspace or bedroom, and take a moment to emotionally connect with it.

7. Build a Mindfulness Routine

Mindfulness keeps your RAS grounded, helping you focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future.

What to do: Dedicate 5-10 minutes daily to mindfulness, whether it's deep breathing, meditation, or simply noticing your surroundings.

How to enhance it: Periodically pause during your day and ask, "What am I noticing right now?" This reinforces your ability to stay present and aware.

8. Surround Yourself with Empowering Inputs

Your RAS is heavily influenced by your environment. Choose inputs that inspire and uplift you.

What to do: Listen to motivational podcasts, read books by thought leaders, and follow people who inspire you on social media.

How to enhance it: Cut out negativity. Unsubscribe from content that drains your energy, like constant bad news or toxic interactions.

9. Leverage "I Notice" Exercises

Training your RAS starts with building awareness. This simple exercise strengthens your ability to notice details.

What to do: Sit quietly and write down 10 things you observe around you—start with what you see, then move to sounds, textures, and even smells.

How to enhance it: Link this exercise to your goals. For example, if you're working on leadership, notice details about how people interact in meetings.

10. Celebrate Small Wins

Your RAS thrives on positive reinforcement. Celebrating progress, no matter how small, helps lock in productive patterns.

What to do: At the end of each week, write down one win—big or small. Maybe you met a deadline early or had a meaningful conversation with a colleague.

How to enhance it: Share your wins with someone supportive. The act of verbalizing them makes them feel even more significant.

Own Your Focus

Your RAS is like a heat-seeking missile. Once it locks onto your focus, it will do everything it can to assist you in achieving your goals. However, this mechanism works both ways; if your mind