As the day drew to a close, my wife Leah and I found ourselves outside, savoring a quiet moment after what could have been a contentious evening. We had just navigated a heated discussion, one of those trivial yet potentially explosive conversations that can easily spiral out of control. Remarkably, we emerged stronger, united in our commitment to each other. Sitting on our balcony, soaking in the beauty of the Texas live oaks, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.

It was in this serene moment that Leah turned to me and said, “You’re the most patient man I have ever known.” Her words brought tears to my eyes, not out of pride, but out of a deep realization. Ten years ago, my response to such a situation would have been drastically different, marked by impatience and frustration. The change in me was profound, the result of years of dedicated effort in reshaping my thoughts and behaviors.

Imagine if our heated discussion had been recorded and analyzed by experts. Some might attribute our positive outcome to conflict management skills or empathic listening techniques. While these tools are valuable, the true catalyst for change was my transformation in thought.

The essence of this transformation lies in a simple yet powerful truth: Thoughts become things.

This principle is central to my Purpose-Driven Leadership Program and is a cornerstone of effective leadership. As William Atkinson, a notable figure in the New Thought Movement, wisely noted in our opening quote, our thoughts can either serve us or dominate us. Choosing to master our thoughts is the first step toward becoming a more effective leader.

In Leveraging the Universe, Mike Dooley asserts, “Your thoughts become things. They always have, and they always will. This is your divine inheritance.”

This profound truth took me over forty years to fully grasp, but once I did, my life began to transform. This realization not only improved my personal relationships but also had a significant impact on my professional life and income.

To illustrate the power of thought, let’s try a simple experiment. Grab a piece of paper and draw a circle. Seriously, draw a circle.

This seemingly trivial act demonstrates a profound truth: Before you drew that circle, you had to decide to do so. This decision, fueled by your thoughts, resulted in a tangible change in the world. The circle, no matter how simple, is a testament to the power of your thoughts becoming reality.

Throughout history, great leaders have understood the transformative power of thought. The ability to be aware of our thoughts, to reflect on them, and to choose them deliberately is what psychologists call metacognition. This self-awareness enables us to elevate our consciousness and create new realities for ourselves and those we lead.

In his international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey calls it the Mental First Principle.   He explains, “All things are created twice.  There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.”

 self-awareness as the birth of a new world. By becoming aware of our thoughts and choosing them deliberately, we can elevate our leadership and create positive change.

Another important piece of this comes from psychology: metacognition.  You can think about thinking.  We have the evolutionary power to self-reflect on our thoughts, emotions, their patterns, and what they help and don't help create in our lives.

This is one of the core message of the Purpose-Driven Leadership Program: To harness the power of our thoughts to become more effective, influential, and fulfilled leaders.

As you embark on your leadership journey, remember these three critical elements:

1. Thoughts become things.
2. Metacognition: You can reflect on and choose your thoughts.
3. Self-awareness enables you to elevate your leadership and create lasting impact.

Embrace the power of your thoughts, and you will unlock your potential to lead with purpose and transform the world around you.

If you found this week's blog inspiring, please share it with your family, friends, and colleagues.  Join me on my journey to empower and inspire millions around the globe.

I'm on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world.  Together, we can spread words of encouragement, inspiration, empowerment, and loving leadership.  Our world could sure use more positivity, meaning and purpose, and lives grounded in values these days—especially in leadership.

Together we can make a difference!