What is an algorithm?
In simple terms, an algorithm is a set of rules or a process used to solve problems or make decisions.
It’s like a recipe that consistently produces the same results when you follow the same steps.
Have you ever wondered why certain things keep happening in your life?
Maybe you keep saying you’re going to finally write a novel, yet things keep happening to distract you, so you never get it written.
Well, just like a computer algorithm, your brain follows patterns based on what you focus on.
The more you focus on something, the more your ‘personal algorithm’ delivers it back to you.
The Algorithm of Attention
Think of your brain as a powerful search engine.
Just like Google shows you more of what you search for, your mind shows you more of what you focus on.
Neurologically, this is linked to something called the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which filters the information your brain receives based on what’s important to you.
So, whether you focus on problems, opportunities, fears, or goals, your brain will keep giving you more evidence to support those thoughts.
Focus Equals Results
Imagine a plant growing toward sunlight.
Your thoughts are like that sunlight—the plant will always move toward the source of energy.
In your own life, if you constantly think about challenges or frustrations, your ‘personal algorithm’ directs your thoughts, emotions, and actions toward more challenges.
But when you shift your focus to solutions or positive outcomes, you align your actions toward achieving them.
So remember this: Whatever gets your attention grows stronger.
Examples in Action
Think back to a time when you were overwhelmed with worry.
What did you notice happening?
Did you see more things to be anxious about?
Now, remember a time when you were excited about a writing goal.
You probably started seeing opportunities everywhere to help you achieve it.
Your brain amplifies whatever you’re paying attention to, just like a search engine prioritizes your most frequent searches.
Ask yourself, ‘What have I been focusing on lately? What results has that brought me?
The Feedback Loop
Your thoughts create emotions, which drive your actions, and those actions lead to results.
But here’s the kicker: those results then reinforce your original thoughts!
When you think positive thoughts, you feel motivated.
That motivation drives you to take productive actions, and those actions yield positive results.
When you focus on negative thoughts, you feel stressed, take fewer actions, or procrastinate, which leads to less desirable results—confirming your initial fears.
This feedback loop keeps your ‘algorithm’ running, so it’s critical to break the cycle at the thought level if you want different results.
Reprogramming Your Personal Algorithm
The beauty of being human is that you can reprogram your personal algorithm.
You can choose what to focus on and thereby change the entire feedback loop.
Try these Actionable steps:
1. Start with awareness: Notice your current thought patterns. Are they focused on problems or solutions?
2. Shift your focus: If you catch yourself focusing on negative outcomes, consciously redirect your thoughts to what you do want.
3. Reinforce with action: Once you’ve shifted your focus, take one small action that aligns with the positive outcome you’re aiming for.
Remember this: Your personal algorithm only knows what you feed it—give it instructions that serve your writing goals!
Focus Exercise
Let’s put this into practice right now.
Step 1: Close your eyes and think about one area of your life where you’d like to see improvement. It could be in your career, relationships, or even a writing goal.
Step 2: Now, visualize the ideal outcome in that area. Imagine it as vividly as possible, and notice how it makes you feel.
Step 3: Hold that focus for a moment. The more you concentrate on that positive image, the more your mind will work to bring it to reality
By doing this regularly, you train your ‘personal algorithm’ to work toward what you desire instead of what you fear.
Your personal algorithm is always at work.
Every thought you dwell on is shaping your future outcomes.
The choice is yours—will you focus on fears and challenges, or will you direct your attention toward your writing goals and aspirations?
What will you start focusing on today?
Action Step
This week, make it your mission to write down one writing goal or positive outcome that you’ll focus on daily.
Every morning, revisit that goal and take one action, no matter how small, that moves you closer to it.
Watch how your personal algorithm starts responding—because when you focus on the right things, the universe aligns to help you achieve them.
Now, before you go, if you haven’t subscribed to The Morning Nudge, be sure to do that now, so you get our Law of Attraction Checklist for Writers and free access to our Private Resource Library for Writers, as well as a short email every weekday morning to help you manifest your writing dreams!
