Personal development, self-care, and mental wellness have traditionally been separate pursuits. So if someone wants to reduce imposter syndrome, they will focus on career planning, someone looking to improve self-care will try yoga and bath bombs, and someone looking to improve their mental wellness will read self-help books, try meditation or therapy.

But the division isn’t necessary, because personal development, self-care and mental wellness all come down to one thing: thoughts. And there is a growing recognition that improving thought processes leads to transformations in every area of life.

The idea behind a thought based approach is simple:

1. thoughts and beliefs shape perceptions of the world, actions and behaviors
2. thought hygiene is closely connected to mental well-being and affects every area of life

How a thought based approach works

When we identify and challenge dysfunctional thought patterns and replace them with more productive ones, we can see improvements in many different areas of our lives.

For example, let’s say that you are trying to lose weight. Traditionally, you might focus on diet and exercise as the keys to success. But if you also take the time to examine your thought patterns around food and exercise, you may find that negative self-talk, dysfunction thought habits like “all-or-nothing thinking,” and limiting beliefs have been holding you back. By challenging these negative patterns and adopting more positive and empowering beliefs, you will stick to your diet and exercise plan more easily, and with less stress and anxiety.

Similarly, if you are trying to advance in your career, focusing solely on skill-building and networking may not be enough. By reflecting on your thought patterns around work and success, you will identify limiting beliefs or fears that are holding you back from taking risks or pursuing new opportunities. By working to challenge these beliefs and replace them with more positive and empowering ones, you will find career aspirations fall into place more easily.

Getting started

The key to this thought based approach recognizes that personal development, self-care, and mental wellness are all interconnected. Improving your thought processes to achieve one goal will help you gain improvements in multiple areas, from relationships to career and physical health.

While it may require some effort and self-reflection to get started, the benefits of this approach can be truly life-changing. So if you’re ready to take control of your thoughts and start creating positive change in your life, consider giving this approach a try.