You Are in Charge of Your Mind and, Therefore, Your Results
In this series on the presuppositions of NLP, we explore foundational principles that guide personal growth, communication, and transformation. Each presupposition offers practical insights into how we perceive and interact with the world.
This post focuses on the eighth presupposition: You are in charge of your mind and, therefore, your results.
What Does This Mean?
This presupposition emphasizes that while we may not fully understand how our minds work, we can influence and direct our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in ways that shape our outcomes. It’s not about complete control. It's about making deliberate adjustments within the frameworks we can access.
We may not control every variable in life. We can observe patterns, experiment with strategies, and refine our approaches to create better results. It’s about actively participating in the process, recognizing that intentional effort—rather than passivity—creates meaningful change.
Why Is This Important?
Empowers Growth
Believing you can influence your mind gives you the agency to improve your life. Instead of feeling stuck or at the mercy of external circumstances, you can take actionable steps toward your goals.
Encourages Adaptation
No single approach works for everyone, and strategies that work in one context may fail in another. Recognizing that you’re in charge of refining your mental strategies makes you more adaptable and resilient.
Reframes Challenges
When you understand that your current results stem from how you’re engaging with your mind, you can focus on adjustments rather than blaming yourself or others. Challenges become opportunities to learn and recalibrate.
How Can You Apply This?
Identify What You Want
Start by clarifying your goals. Whether it’s improving communication or building resilience, knowing what you’re working toward is the first step. Ask:
“What do I want to create in this situation?”
“How will I know I’m making progress?”
Observe Patterns
Treat your mind like a feedback loop. Pay attention to the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that consistently appear in different situations. Ask:
“What happens when I think this way?”
“How does my emotional state influence my decisions?”
Experiment and Adjust
Once you identify patterns, test small changes to see what works better. For example:
If self-doubt is holding you back, try reframing negative thoughts into questions like, “What can I learn from this?”
If a strategy isn’t yielding results, brainstorm new approaches and observe what changes.
Leverage Tools and Techniques
Many tools and strategies can help you reprogram limiting thoughts or behaviors. These tools don’t require a complete understanding of how the brain works—they simply need to work for you.
Practical Exercise
Think of an area in your life where you’re not achieving the results you want. Reflect on the following:
What thought patterns or behaviors might be contributing to this outcome?
What minor adjustment could you make to create a different result?
How can you use feedback from this adjustment to refine your approach further?
Practice this for one week. Observe how minor changes in your thoughts or behaviors influence the results you’re experiencing.
Consider This
What could change in your life if you approached your mind like a tool to be refined rather than a puzzle to be solved? How might this shift in perspective help you move toward your goals with greater ease and flexibility?
Final Thoughts
The eighth presupposition of NLP reminds us that while we may not control every aspect of our minds, we can shape our experiences and results through intentional effort. By observing, adjusting, and experimenting, we step into a position of influence that allows us to grow, adapt, and thrive.
In the next member-only post, we’ll explore the ninth presupposition: People have all the resources they need to succeed and achieve their desired outcomes.
Enjoyed this post? Like, share, or leave a comment below!
If you’d like to support this work, click the “Support My Work” button. Your support helps make this content available to more people.