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How to Rewire Your Mind for Success

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If someone offered to give you the drug Bradley Cooper took in “Limitless” would you take it? If you could swallow a pill that was 100% safe and would instantly inspire you – would take it?

I know I would. I’m sure most people walking the planet would. A simple shift in mindset is what most of us need – and if a pill could help us feel our full potential and take action on it – it would be incredible. Sadly, it’s unlikely a drug like that exists, and if you’re like me – you’d rather find healthy and safe ways to have success.

Instead of seeking the pill, you can cultivate a healthy mind and wire your brain for success in more sustainable ways – ways that guarantee you can have health, wealth, and a long happy life.

One of the best paths to creating a powerful mind is to study peak performance states. While many of us have had the experience of being ‘in the zone’ most of us haven’t figured out how to repeat those states consciously. In my case, I know I’ve often wanted those ‘flow states,’ but they came to me by accident…or some would say, “by the grace of God.”

Unfortunately, that’s not sufficient. We’re not interested in having the best peak experiences be left to the gods – we deserve to be in control. One of the best resources on how to ‘wire your mind for success’ can be found in Steven Kotler’s work. Until Steven’s work I never really fully understood how to get that state where performance is at peak – instead, it just happened. Most of the time it was just luck, or so I thought.

Let me share a few points that you can use instantly to help you create peak states more often:

1. Control Your Environment

Walk into any Starbucks, McDonald’s, or Barnes & Noble – and you’ll notice they always have similar layouts. The music, the chairs, the smells, the clothes their employees wear. It’s always the same in every store.

As billion-dollar empires, these stores are made to help you ‘feel the same every time.’ Every visit trains you to feel a certain way. The more you go into these stores, the more your mind gets wired to believe how the owners of these empires want you to feel.

If you want to tap into this same genius, here’s one of your first ‘mind hacks’ to help you wire your mind for success.

First, start by performing tasks in the same environment. Find an environment where you feel most able to complete your task at hand. Next, create an awesome playlist that inspires you. Any playlist where the music just sucks you in and will help you get tapped in.

To better elucidate this and make this example more concrete – let me give you an example.

When I go to the gym, I have a special ‘amp me up’ playlist. It’s got a series of songs which get me jacked up. For years I’ve listened to these songs while at the gym. Anytime I hear them – I feel pumped! If you make yourself a playlist that elicits feelings, it will get into the zone faster. And the more you use this playlist, the more those mental grooves will settle in.

When you combine a controlled environment with music – you’re guaranteed to create a mind wired for success. Repeat this over and over and soon enough – you show up and your mind will go right into that peak state. First you have to control where you do your task, do it in the wrong place and you won’t reap the rewards.

If you decided to go a vegan conference and all there were only vegan foods – soon enough you’d be eating vegan and talking to vegans. If you went to a meat eating conference, it’s likely you’d soon find yourself eating meat and learning about the powers of consuming beef. Similarly, if you go to the gym to work out you’ll make yourself work out. Your surroundings will shape your habits, your will, and who you become.

Use this intelligence to your advantage. Control your environment. Use an environment that compliments your tasks, and you’ll find yourself getting a lot more done.

“I think it’s important to get your surroundings as well as yourself into a positive state – meaning surround yourself with positive people, not the kind who are negative and jealous of everything you do.” – Heidi Klum

2. Show Up

There are days I want inspiration to hit me. Thinking this way only delays success. Hoping the gods will look kindly on you and gift you with a muse is not how genius happens. As the great Thomas Edison once put it: The people who get the results are the people who show up.

When I read about Michael Jordan, I often read his coaches say: “Jordan was the first to show up and the last to leave.” Sure Michael had natural talent, but his genius was that he showed up.

One great example of how genius is born can be found in author, professor and researcher, Malcolm Gladwell’s work. According to Malcolm’s renowned research, a true expert devotes over 10,000 hours of practice to their craft. No way around the time needed to become the best. Time is the friend of excellence.

Show up, control the environment, use the playlist, and reap the rewards. This is the magic pill that unlike some Hollywood fantasy has worked for millions of men and women – and it can work for you too – all without any adverse effects.

“Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.” – Woody Allen

What steps are you going to take today to make sure you achieve success? Let us know in the comments below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

I used to be homeless and now run a six figure business with my partner and travel the world. My journey to help those in need has taken me from non-profit director to supporting holistic entrepreneurs have a life of freedom. I run the Thriving Launch Podcast, which features the most influential leaders in the areas of love, spirituality, business, and success. It's my mission to help heart-centered entrepreneurs get their message heard. Learn more on at my website ThrivingLaunch.com (http://www.thrivinglaunch.com/)

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
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The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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