I truly believe that if you want to be successful at anything, your head has to be in the right place. Henry Ford famously said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right." I agree. This isn't just some airy-fairy quote from a wealthy man. It’s actually backed by neuroscience. Your brain is an organ that filters opportunities according to your expectations. Its primary job is to keep you alive, so if you’re expecting that something won’t work, your brain will ensure you overlook opportunities right in front of you. Or, if you believe nothing will change no matter what you do, guess what? Nothing changes, and you’re proven right. The thing is, the opportunity was there all along—you just didn’t notice it. Here’s an example we can all relate to: you’re searching for ketchup in the fridge, and it’s nowhere to be found. Then someone else opens the fridge and effortlessly points out that it’s right there in front of you. We’ve all had that happen. That’s your brain giving you the results you expected. You looked ten times and saw nothing, but Jane took one look and found it immediately. Go figure! As you go about your business day, remember to check your mindset. Joining a networking group but not networking, even though you have time? That’s self-sabotage. Not following up on leads because you think they won’t go anywhere? Self-sabotage. Over-planning and under-implementing? Yep, self-sabotage. Expecting negative outcomes? Self-sabotage. It’s funny: the two people who told me they got nothing from being in this group are the same people who never introduced themselves, never put their name on the referral list, and never checked in after they joined. They got nothing because they did nothing—and probably expected to struggle with growing their business. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re soon displaying the “Open to Work” banner on their LinkedIn profiles. This little post is just a reminder to give your head a check today. If you’re reading this, maybe you needed it!