By Shanna Hoppie

The Law of Cause and Effect states that action and reaction are equal and opposite.

Sounds like physics class, right? But that’s not just for chemicals, particles, and science. WRONG! This law applies to everything—even our thoughts.

You’ve probably heard the saying: thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and character is who we are. That, my friends, is cause and effect in action.

Have you ever thought something about someone or something and—before you can stop yourself—it just slips out loud? There’s actually an airline commercial that plays on this idea: after the character says or does something impulsively, the tagline reads, “Wanna get away?”

The beautiful thing about this law is that every cause has an effect. What that means is it can work for you just as easily as it has worked against you. How? Be intentional about what you choose to think, say, and do. The more you consciously control your thoughts, the more you control your actions—and ultimately, what you have and who you become.

Remember, I said earlier that thoughts become actions? Over time, those thoughts shape your very being. You already are the product of your past thoughts. So start now: change your future by changing what you think today.

One practice that’s helped me is sitting down and writing out everything I want to be, do, and have. I encourage you to do the same—right now. Don’t worry about how many; just start writing. It might take a few days, and you’ll probably add to it over time.

Some people like to find pictures of their goals and post them where they’ll see them daily. If it’s something like breaking a habit or reaching a certain weight, writing out affirmations or intentions on cards and placing them where you’ll regularly read them works wonders. The more you think about what you want, the more motivated you become to take the steps needed to get there. (A quick note on weight loss: Instead of focusing on “losing” weight—which your mind interprets as looking for what’s there—focus on how you will look and feel at your ideal weight. Visualize that daily, and you’ll become that new you.)

Life is more in your control than you think. It’s your choice. Make it happen.

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•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
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