“You’re used to doing so many things without any intention in the first place.” – Katie Lee, The Small Change Project

That’s a zinger of a first line, but it’s true for a lot of us. Maybe most of us. We tend to give little thought to how we approach things, cycling through days and even weeks on autopilot. We do what we’ve always done, just because we’ve always done it.

Then, at some point, you realize you’re not getting the results you want. Not even close. And because the goal feels a long way off, you assume you need to make big, sweeping changes. After all, you want big results.

But it’s the little changes that make all the difference. And the biggest little change you can make is entirely internal.

I’ll explain by telling you two things I’ve discovered about myself. Perhaps they’re true for you, too. Here’s the first thing I’ve discovered.

I have two modes. One is what I call my “approach mindset.” When I’m in this mode of thinking, I focus on possibilities. I’m on the lookout for opportunities, tuned into the key things I want out of life. As a result, I tend to be upbeat and optimistic.

My other mode is different. I call it my “avoidance mindset.” In this mode, I’m primarily concerned about the things that could go wrong. I end up grasping for control and obsessing over problems I see in myself and others.

Take a wild guess as to which mode is more enjoyable and fulfilling.

My “approach mindset” is easily the more productive of the two. Not only that, but it’s also the mode that makes me a more pleasant person to be around. Making sure I’m in the right mindset is the biggest little change I can make.

Which begs the question; why not stay in that mindset all the time? The answer is annoyingly simple. Because I forget.

It’s easy to get sucked into cynical thinking. I start focusing on problems instead of potential, and I may not even realize my mindset has changed. This is why I’m writing about this today. It’s a reminder to you, just in case you could benefit from shifting into an “approach mindset.”

In fact, I encourage you to take a moment to think about the mindset you’re in right now. What are you focused on? Problems or possibilities?

If you find you’re in the “avoidance mindset,” switch to the other. Don’t let yourself get hung up on all the things that could go wrong. Instead, be intentional about looking for ways to bring out the best and highest good you can find in yourself and others. It will make a world of difference.