The flow is the path of least resistance, or the easy way.
When we go with the flow, we’re not entirely sure where it’s taking us. It’s a path we didn’t choose.
If anybody feels like they’re on an unchosen path, there’s no need to stress.
In order to start moving towards a new direction where more fulfillment can be had, here are some pointers.
1.) Fight the Current
What happens when we go against the flow and have to start fighting the current?
It’ll be tough. We’ll get tired and may want to give up after some time.
But that’s how it is with resistance.
We will however develop ourselves as a result of going against the current.
We’ll turn into fighters, battling resistance everyday to get to the level we want to be on.
It’s worth it to not back down from this fight because consequentially, we’ll end up where we want to be, independent of where the flow would have taken us.
2.) Personal Battles
Personal growth, spiritual development, and acquiring skills to get on the level we want to get on takes a lot of work. Not everybody will venture into this realm of discomfort.
There are a ton of reasons for not fighting the current, but when we realize that we can better understand our internal worlds while we handle these things on a personal level, it becomes manageable, and as we see change, we’ll be empowered.
3.) Easy Fixes
More often than not, culture and media is going to convey that momentary pleasure is a fast track to positive vibes and lasting happiness.
But once we snap back to the routine after the fact, there’s a feeling of emptiness that comes with investing so much of our time and energy into momentary pleasures that didn’t even mean much to begin with.
The momentary pleasure fix that is distracting us from achieving our real goals can be something as serious as addiction, or something small like wasting an afternoon on social media.
To see results, we’ve got to cut out all the distractions.
4.) Negativity
> 95% of the same thoughts are repeated
> On average, 80% of all thoughts are negative
It appears that our brains are hardwired not only to be predominately negative, but to also repeat negativity.
This doesn’t mean we don’t have the power to change our thinking patterns.
In fact, if we look at this a different angle, it can be quite empowering.
What if we thought more hopeful and positive thoughts?
Flip the 80% to positive and we’ll repeat them to generate crazy positive vibes. That’s the power of positive thinking.
5.) Programming
As we learned above, the flow is negative, so negativity will be at our doorstep more often than not. It gets bad though when we are programmed for negativity.
Awareness is a must for changing negative thinking patterns.
Through mindfulness and other methods, we can monitor our thoughts and recognize them as energies in passing.
Our passing thought energies only need to have significance when we let them.
If those thoughts are positive, then let’s attach all the meaning we can to them.
If these thoughts are negative, we can detach and let go.
6.) Inaction
We have these life goals.
In the beginning we’re going to fail, and in this process of failing and getting back up, a lot of us will be tempted to not revisit our goals.
Pursuit of a goal will more likely than not include failures and roadblocks, but the consistent effort will benefit the one in pursuit of the goal in the long run.
Even when someone fails, strong character traits will develop and knowledge will expand in the process.
If all turns south, the work ethic and know how will carry with that person in any endeavor he or she choses to take on in the future.
Taking action is going to fortify efforts to think positively and our efforts to think positively will assist us in taking action.
Positive thinking cannot be sustained if one is not taking the consistent action necessary because we’ll become preoccupied with why we’re not doing our stuff.
7.) Procrastination
Procrastination is sneaky.
How many times have we convinced ourselves that we have tomorrow?
Or when we do a little bit and convince ourselves that it was enough.
This is the tragedy of a goal that was never tackled. People look down the road and realize all the wasted time and potential, and by doing this, get even more discouraged in a way that diminishes their motivation.
That’s why we’ve got to grind today, so that we don’t become a victims of procrastination.
Procrastination is a goal killer.
Conclusion
Taking action towards a goal goes against the flow of things.
It comes down to whether or not we are going to fight the current and go against the norm, or let the current wash us downstream to some unknown destination.
We’ll have our inner doubts, external opinions, and the easy, available option to just float down stream.
If we remember that the fight is constant, we can develop in ourselves a resilient attitude that can help us in those time we feel like giving up.
The current doesn’t let up, so that means there can’t be any letting up on our part either.
I love the analogy of going against the current you used to get your point across. I would agree with your entire post on all six points you explained so well.
Like you I did not realise that we normally would have a negative nature and end up having our mind wanting to spend such a high percentage of time revisiting the thoughts.
I grew up as a positive thinker and believe in putting in the time to make my dreams a reality but I do also indulge in leisure time. Work hard and play hard.
Thank you for the comment. That’s right, if all we’re doing is working and not taking time off for ourselves, we won’t be able to experience the best parts of life. It’s good to have a balance in what we do.
Great post. I like the metrics of negative thoughts. That most of our thoughts are repeated thoughts and that 80% of our thoughts tend to be negative.
I think this is because the human brain is wired to spot the negatives for the sake of human survival over the millenia. For me procrastination is somewhat of an issue, and it’s hard for me to get started on a project. But I never give up and I make it through.
You really have touched on a sensitive topic here. First many people are in this boat of following the majority and it ends no where.
I like the steps you’ve listed as steps to dealing with this problem.
Fighting against the current means we get out of our comfort zone. This is one of the big challenges.
It work as you rightly mentioned, I think the key is dealing with the negative thoughts on a daily basis and actively replacing with postive affirmations or selftalk.
I like what you said
This is truly a brilliant article. There are many people that I am sure will benefit greatly from this. You writing has really made me think about my own thoughts and my own thought process. Its strange how we go about life with a largely negative attitude, without even realizing it most of the time. I will be taking a deeper look at my attitude after this, in an attempt to leverage my positive thinking.
I like your website because the niche you have chosen speaks volume. It is easier to go with the flow than against it. The inspirational quotes are my favorite. I find so many encouraging words that my day is going to be well spent. Thank you for such a comforting website!
I hope you will get rewarded big in the days ahead.
Thank you for the encouragement. The same goes to you!
very interesting and informative site 🙂 I have really enjoyed reading 🙂
WE should all make more positive thoughts 🙂 we should all have dreams and try to achieve them. Sometimes, because of the problems( economical ) or the environment we live in, we don t even try to see our dreams.
A lot of people are satisfied only with surviving, but I am sure we can do more. You see, the live level we have is the most important factor.
It is a very nice site 🙂 love it 🙂
Thank you for the comment.. It’s true, a lot of people don’t really even set goals because of survival mode, and it’s totally understandable. What’s important though is that we keep on seeking to be better, seeking for more opportunities, and never letting up on our goals.
This is exactly the type of text that I enjoy reading!!!
I love this kind of motvational text that encourage us to become better and push forward in life.
I have one question, where did you find those numbers “95 percent of the same thoughts are repeated” and “On average, 80 percent of all thoughts are negative”?
They are very interesting numbers and I believe they can be right. I just would like to know the source if you remember.
I think that it was either in a motivational speech given by Les Brown, OR I read it in some article, it’s been awhile. But of course these numbers are up for debate for sure. Everyone is different and more people may be more prone to negative thinking and obsessive or repeated thoughts while others don’t even have a problem with it
First of all, just found your site and was blown away by this article man! killer, seriously dude.
Good vibes all around. I can feel the heat of your passion through the screen haha. I just feel like more pumped up and energized now. However, I was wondering, do you have any tips on how to reduce procrastination? It’s a super difficult obstacle to overcome for me.
Yeah check out this article – https://goodvibesrfree.com/how-to-combat-procrastination
I love what you mentioned about dealing with personal issues, what we see is a reflection of the content of our own minds:-)