4 Powerful Mindset Shifts to Start Using Today

Buddha once said, "The mind is everything. What you think you become."

In other words, your thoughts shape your world. A simple shift in your perception can have a transformative impact on your life.

Here are four powerful mindset shifts to start using today.

1. Going after your dreams is risky > Not going after your dreams is risky
How many times have you held back from giving something a go or putting yourself out there to someone because you're not 110-percent guaranteed to succeed?

Maybe it's the big career change your soul is yearning for. Opening up to someone about how you feel about them. Going along to a social situation where you don't know anyone. Pursuing that project you feel niggling away in the back of your mind.

Going after your dreams is risky and you have to deal with uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability for a while. But the truth is, continually not going after what you want is even riskier.

Because you're holding yourself back from creating the exciting, meaning-filled, hugely satisfying life of your dreams that feels oh-so-right to your soul.

So take a few chances and get more comfortable with uncertainty. It's too risky not to.

2. I don't want to be here > What can I learn from this?
We all have to do things from time to time we don't want to do.

Maybe it's a meeting you don't want to be in, a phone call you're not enthused about answering, or being packed on a bus on a hot summer's day.

Instead of wishing away precious minutes of your beautiful life, switch your focus to searching for the hidden gem in the situation.

Maybe you can see it as a life lesson, an opportunity for self-growth, or a chance to tap into a deep internal source of inner peace and contentment.

You have just given the situation a whole new value which it didn't previously have.

3. This sucks > Is this within my circle of control?
Picture a circle on a piece of paper.

Inside the circle are all the things you can control. Things like your dominant thoughts, your attitude, your behavior, your values, and how you live your life - your lifestyle, exercise, food, career, passions, self-education, friends, fun and leisure time.

Outside of the circle are all of the things you can't control. Things like the weather, the bus running late, the behavior of others, long queues, the café running out of your favorite salad sandwich, missing out on a promotion, or getting a cold.

If something is within your circle of control, that's great news! Pour your energy into changing it, and you will transform your life.

If something is outside your circle of control, learn to accept it and let it go. Reserve your energy for bigger, brighter things and maintain your inner peace.

4. The world is hostile > The world is friendly, abundant and beautiful

Albert Einstein once said, "The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly universe or hostile universe."

It's another way of saying the world is a reflection of your dominant thoughts. You get more of what you focus on.

If you're always focused on problems, fears and all the things that could go wrong, problems and misfortunes are exactly what you'll find.

If you're predominantly focused on simply joys, love, kindness and beauty in the world, blessings and goodness are exactly what you'll find.

Try one of these mindset shifts the next time you catch yourself defaulting to an old belief, and see what effect it has on your day.

Elyse is the founder of NotesOnBliss.com, your guidebook to happiness and creating a beautiful life. For more tips, wisdom and inspiration, sign up now.