Why I Always Say, “You Become What You Think”

Last Updated on: 28th February 2025

Have you ever noticed how your thoughts shape your actions and, ultimately, your life? I firmly believe in the saying, “You become what you think,” because our minds are powerful tools that can either drive us toward success or keep us stuck in negativity. Over the past few years, I’ve seen how mindset plays a crucial role in personal growth, happiness, and achievements. In this article, I’ll share why this idea is so important and how you can apply it to improve your life.

The Power of Your Thoughts

Our mind is so powerful, but still most of us, including me sometimes, take it for granted. Most of the time we believe we aren’t in control of what we think as our thoughts keep wandering here and there all day long.

However, your thoughts create your reality. What you focus on consistently influences your emotions, decisions, and the opportunities you attract. If you dwell on negativity, self-doubt, or failure, you’ll likely experience more setbacks. On the other hand, a positive, growth-oriented mindset can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

This idea that I’m trying to explain isn’t just a motivational talk—it’s backed by psychology and neuroscience. Studies show that our thoughts impact brain function, emotions, and even physical health. When we think positively, our brain releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which improve mood and motivation.

A Classic Reminder from Napoleon Hill

One of my favorite lines from the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill perfectly illustrates this principle:

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got the think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!

By Napoleon Hill from his book “Think and Grow Rich”

This poem reminds us that success begins in the mind. If you believe in yourself, you’ll take action. If you doubt yourself, you’ll hesitate and miss opportunities.

How to Train Your Mind for Success?

Our minds are like gardens—whatever we plant grows. If we nurture positive thoughts, we’ll see personal growth. Here’s how you can train your mind to work in your favor:

1. Be Aware of Your Thoughts

Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself. Are you encouraging yourself, or are you constantly criticizing yourself? Recognizing negative self-talk is the first step toward changing it.

2. Reframe Negative Beliefs

Instead of saying, “I’m not good at this,” try, “I’m still learning and improving.” Reframing your thoughts helps shift your perspective and builds confidence.

3. Visualize Your Success

Successful people use visualization to mentally rehearse their achievements. Spend a few minutes each day imagining yourself reaching your goals—it conditions your mind to believe in possibilities.

4. Use Positive Affirmations

Words have power. Saying things like “I am capable,” “I deserve happiness,” or “I am growing every day” can strengthen your belief in yourself.

5. Take Action

Thoughts alone won’t change your life—you need to act on them. Once you develop a positive mindset, start making decisions that align with your goals.

Lessons from Life: Changing Your Perspective

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. A quote from Pirates of the Caribbean always sticks with me:

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.”

Captain Jack Sparrow

If you see challenges as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks, you’ll find growth in every experience.

Human beings are examined as creatures of habit. We often tend to follow others, our parents, our friends, our neighborhoods and surrounding people for good or for bad. But we don’t have to do it all the time. We all have a mind of our own, capable of imagining the life we want it to be. Start imagining and believing the way you want your life to be. You don’t have to tell anybody. Just believe in yourself, and have faith and confidence in what you do.

Once I heard a motivational speaker saying, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” And then there’s a wonderful saying: “Be careful what you wish for.” But I would replace these with, “Where you keep your eyes pointed is where you’re going to get.”

We might not be able to control the weather or the moods of all the people or things around us. But, we most certainly can control our attitude towards all such events. We all have the power to determine what we will think about at any given moment. This ability is part of what makes us humans.

The Science Behind Thoughts and Reality

Your mind is like a magnet.
It’s all in your mind. Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life.

If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted.
If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten.
If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.

Modern neuroscience supports the idea that thoughts shape our experiences. Studies reveal:

• Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to thoughts and experiences. Positive thinking can strengthen pathways associated with optimism and resilience.
• Confirmation Bias: Our minds seek evidence to support our beliefs, meaning positive thoughts can create a feedback loop of positive experiences.
• Stress Reduction: Positive thinking reduces cortisol levels, promoting better health and decision-making.

These findings highlight that changing our thoughts isn’t just philosophical—it’s physiological.

How Your Mindset Shapes Your Reality?

The thoughts you entertain daily shape your future. When you:

• Think positively, you attract positivity.
• Focus on possibilities, you create opportunities.
• Believe in yourself, you take action toward success.

We can say either yes or no to the various choices we encounter in our daily lives. Sometimes it’s good to say no. But we have to be open to new possibilities, and new changes in life. Don’t be afraid to try new things, don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying. You may fail at the beginning but don’t forget that failures are the footsteps towards success.

To savor the good one must know the bad. But I suggest that you should stop judging events as either positive or negative. Rather, simply experience them, celebrate them and learn from them. Every event offers you some lessons.

These little lessons fuel your inner and outer growth. Just think about it with your own life. Most people have grown the most from their most challenging experiences. And if you meet with an outcome you did not expect and feel a little disappointed, remember that the laws of nature always ensure that when one door closes another opens.

Create the Life that You Want

There are three levels of manifestation in your life:

• Thoughts
• Words
• Action

Whatever you think consistently will become your reality. For example “I don’t have money” or “I am ugly.” If you think that often enough, you will experience exactly that – the feeling of having no money or every time looking at yourself in a mirror and thinking you are ugly. Eventually, you start believing in such thoughts and think that’s true. This leads to fear and increases mental pressure.

Our mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If you have become a negative thinker, this is because you have not cared for your mind and taken time to train it to focus on the good. Winston Churchill said that “the price of greatness is, responsibility over each of your thoughts”. Then you will install the vibrant mindset you are looking for. Remember, the mind truly is like any other muscle in your body. Use it or lose it.

That’s why it’s important to create a habit of positive thinking. Positive thoughts alone will not lead you to achieve what you want in your life. Put your thoughts into words and act accordingly. Your words are nothing without action, let your actions define you.

Final Thoughts

The best way to predict your future is to create it. By training your mind, shifting your perspective, and taking action, you can recreate your reality in a way that aligns with your dreams. Remember, the journey begins with a single thought—make it a positive one.

So, what are you waiting for? Just close your eyes and think about how you want to live your life, what you have to do to make it happen and start working for it. Because, ultimately, you become what you think.

Now, it’s your turn—what are you going to focus on?