How to Control Your Mind …

for Fun and Profit

Controlling your mind isn’t about turning off your thoughts or trying to be some emotionless monk on a mountain.
It’s about direction.
It’s about choosing what you allow in, what you give energy to, and what you rehearse day after day—because all of those things quietly shape your beliefs, your behavior, and your outcomes.

When you learn to control your mind, the impact isn’t just personal—it’s strategic. It leads to greater focus, better results, less stress, and more joy. It’s fun. And yes, it can be wildly profitable.

Here’s how it works, one key principle at a time.


1. What You Focus On Increases

Control Your Mind with your focus

Your attention is a spotlight—and whatever you shine it on gets bigger.

If you focus on your limitations, they start to feel like walls.
If you focus on opportunities, they begin to multiply.
If you constantly think about what you don’t want to happen, your brain starts preparing for it as if it’s inevitable.

This isn’t just positive thinking—it’s how your brain is wired.
Your Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters incoming data and prioritizes what aligns with your dominant thoughts. It scans the world looking for reinforcement—proof that your focus is correct.

Think about that. If you’re focused on failure, your brain will notice all the reasons something won’t work. But if you shift your attention to progress, your mind will start looking for ways forward.

That’s why people who expect the best often seem “lucky.” Their focus filters out the noise and locks onto the next step. It’s not magic—it’s mental management.

So if you want to control your mind?
Start by asking: What am I focusing on right now?
Because that’s what you’re growing.


2. You Can Replace the Picture in Your Mind

Let’s go a layer deeper.

Your mind doesn’t think in long paragraphs. It thinks in pictures.

Say the words: “Don’t think of an elephant.”
Instantly, a big gray animal appears in your mind’s eye—because your brain grabs the subject, not the command. “Don’t” gets ignored.
Now say, “Imagine a blue monkey dancing on a basketball court.”
Boom. New picture.

This isn’t just fun—it’s functional.

If the image in your mind is fear, failure, or embarrassment, your body responds as if it’s happening. Your breath changes. Your muscles tighten. Your mood shifts.

But you can change the picture.

And when you do, you shift your state.

This is one of the most powerful tools in mental framing: learning to interrupt the automatic images that don’t serve you and intentionally replace them with ones that do.

Got a big presentation?
Instead of picturing disaster, visualize connection, impact, and calm confidence.

Worried about making a mistake?
Picture yourself learning quickly, adjusting, and winning the next round.

The goal isn’t to “never feel fear.” The goal is to not dwell on it. To move your mind from fear to focus. From problem to possibility.

And it starts by changing the picture.


3. You’ve Got to Know What You Want

You can’t aim at a target you haven’t defined.

Clarity doesn’t just feel good—it directs your mind. If you want your internal GPS (a.k.a. your RAS) to work for you, you have to program the destination.

What do you want to create?
What kind of person do you want to become?
What specific outcomes do you want in your career, your relationships, your health, your finances?

If you don’t decide, the world will decide for you. And that’s a dangerous gamble.

When you know what you want, your brain begins filtering the world differently. You’ll start noticing opportunities that were always there—but previously hidden in plain sight. You’ll begin meeting people who align with your goals, because your energy has shifted and your focus is clear.

Write it down. Speak it aloud. Picture it often.

The clearer the image of what you want, the more your brain goes to work on your behalf—connecting the dots and opening doors you didn’t even know existed.


4. Create the Vision of Your Future Self

This is where belief becomes behavior.

Once you’ve decided what you want, you need to start rehearsing it mentally. Why? Because your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between vividly imagined experiences and real ones.

That’s why elite athletes visualize the perfect performance before they compete. That’s why top performers in business rehearse a pitch before walking into the room.

Your mind becomes familiar with what you repeat.
And familiarity breeds confidence.

So imagine the version of you who has already achieved what you’re after. The confident you. The calm you. The clear and courageous you.

  • How do they handle conflict?
  • What do they do in the morning?
  • How do they speak?
  • How do they recover from setbacks?

The more you mentally rehearse that version, the more your actions start to align with it. You become it—one thought, one decision, one day at a time.

You’re not pretending. You’re training.


5. Repetition Is Power

Repetition wires the brain.

It’s how habits are formed. It’s how beliefs are reinforced. It’s how fears become phobias—and how champions build confidence.

If you’ve rehearsed a failure story for years, no wonder it feels real. But the exciting truth? You can write a new story. You can use the same power of repetition to build a mindset that lifts you.

Repeat your goals. Repeat your affirmations. Repeat your visualizations.
But also—repeat the actions that move you forward.

Even small wins, repeated often, begin to change your identity. You go from “someone who hopes” to “someone who does.”
You stop waiting for confidence and start building it, brick by brick.

Repetition makes it real.
And what you repeat, you become.


6. Mind Framing Is a Skill You Can Train

You are constantly framing your experiences—consciously or not.

When something goes wrong, do you see it as proof that you’re failing? Or as data for improvement?

When someone criticizes you, do you crumble—or do you see an opportunity to strengthen your resilience?

Framing is the story you tell yourself about what’s happening.
And stories shape reality.

The good news? You can practice new frames. You can train yourself to interpret challenges as fuel, not fire. To see delays as preparation, not punishment. To respond with curiosity instead of judgment.

This is the ultimate skill—because it gives you your power back. No one controls your interpretation but you.

Train your framing like a muscle.
Start small. Catch yourself mid-thought. Pivot. Practice.
Soon, your reflex will shift from “panic” to “possibility.”

And that’s when your mind becomes a true asset—not a liability.


Why Fun and Profit?

Because that’s what happens when the control of your mind becomes your ally instead of your enemy.

Fun comes from flow. From confidence. From knowing you can trust yourself under pressure. From not being derailed by every negative thought that pops up.

Profit—whether financial, emotional, or relational—comes from clarity and execution. You stop wasting energy on overthinking. You make faster decisions. You recover quicker. You show up better. You lead with purpose.

Controlling your mind is not about perfection—it’s about direction.

And when you point your thoughts toward what matters most?

You win more. Smile more. And yes… profit more.


One Last Thought:
It’s time to Reclaim the Wheel

Every day, your mind is being programmed.

By your thoughts.
By your habits.
By the people and media you surround yourself with.

The question is: Who’s doing the programming?

Is it you… or someone else?

If you don’t like the way your life looks, don’t start by changing the outside. Start with the pictures in your head. The stories you tell yourself. The focus you choose. The frame you give to each moment.

Control your mind—and you control your future.
Take the wheel and steer your life.

What’s your next step? How about a free downloadable worksheet with a 7 step process that leads you through changing the way you think and taking control of your mind? Download the PDF created by Coach Wheeler: Mind Control 101 worksheet — A simple, powerful tool to help you reprogram your thoughts and rewire your focus.

Why?

Because your mind is the operating system of your life. You need to control your mind.

And the upgrade?
That starts today.

Personal Mind Control

Let’s talk about Mind Control… specifically who controls your mind.

Because If You Don’t Have Control of your Mind, Someone Else Will

Personal Mind Control ... why you need to take control starting right now.

What if I told you your greatest battlefield isn’t out there in the world… but inside your own head?
What if the most important fight for your future isn’t with the economy, or your job, or even your relationships…
but with the thoughts you allow to set up camp in your mind?

Because here’s the truth:
If you don’t control your mind, someone else will.
And you can be sure—it won’t be in your favor.


How Does It Happen?

It’s subtle. Almost invisible. Like water shaping a stone drop by drop.

One suggestion here. One fear planted there. One “just trying to help” from someone who loves you… but never broke out of their own cage.

And before you know it, you’re living out a script that isn’t yours. A play written by someone else.
Parents. Teachers. Friends. Advertisers. Politicians. Even social media algorithms.

Not all of it is malicious. Most of it isn’t.

In fact, many of the people influencing your thoughts and decisions genuinely believe they’re helping you.
But even the most well-intentioned guidance can become a prison if it’s based on fear, limitation, or outdated beliefs.

Let’s look closer.


Your Parents Loved You …
. . . But They Weren’t Perfect

Nobody walks away from childhood without a few scars.

Even in the best homes—full of love, structure, and support—parents still pass along stories.
Stories that were passed to them, and to their parents before that.

  • “People like us don’t do things like that.”
  • “Money is hard to come by.”
  • “It’s better to play it safe.”
  • “You should be grateful and not want too much.”

Sound familiar?

These kinds of beliefs often masquerade as “wisdom.” And they might have made sense… decades ago, in a different time, in a different place, with different resources and different options.

But the world has changed. And if you never challenge those beliefs, they’ll quietly direct your life from the shadows.

You’ll pull back when you should push forward.
You’ll say “I can’t” when you really mean “I’ve never tried.”
You’ll pass up opportunity… because your mind has been trained to avoid risk.

And here’s the dangerous part: you’ll think those thoughts are yours. But they’re not.

They’re inherited.


The Media Is Selling You a Mindset

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room—media.

Not just “the news,” but advertising, entertainment, social platforms… all of it.

These systems are designed to capture attention, stir emotion, and influence behavior. That’s not conspiracy. That’s business.

If the media can make you feel fearful, angry, or like you’re not enough—
they can sell you something to fix it.
A product. A lifestyle. A political candidate. A belief system.

Ever notice how the news rarely ends with solutions?
It’s not because there aren’t any.
It’s because outrage gets more clicks than calm.

Fear holds attention better than hope.
Division is easier to sell than unity.

And guess what? Every time you scroll… every time you tune in… you’re training your mind.

Not just what to think, but how to think.


You’ve Been Trained—But You Can Retrain

Think about it. Most people spend more time programming their playlists than they do programming their thoughts.

We guard our passwords but let anything into our brain.
We say we want success but surround ourselves with messages that scream scarcity, danger, and division.
We’re hypnotized by repetition.
Entertained by fear.
And slowly… we forget we ever had the power to choose our thoughts in the first place.

But you do.

The ability to think independently—deliberately—is not some rare superpower.
It’s your birthright.
It’s just been neglected.

And now… it’s time to wake it up.


Why It Matters

You were not born to be a pawn in someone else’s plan.

You were not created to echo recycled fears.

And you certainly weren’t put here to live a secondhand life, following a map you didn’t draw.

You were born with the raw material to shape your own reality.

But that starts with the mind.

Control it—and you unlock everything else.


One Final Thought: Who’s In Charge?

Let me leave you with a question.

When your alarm goes off tomorrow morning…
When you look in the mirror…
When you choose what to focus on, what to believe, what to chase—

Who’s in charge?

Is it the scared voice from childhood?
The commercial you saw last night?
The political slogan drilled into your head?

Or is it you?

Take your mind back.
Guard it like your life depends on it.

Because it does.

And once you learn to control your mind…
You’ll find you can shape your habits, your relationships, your outcomes—
your entire life.

That’s power.
And it’s yours for the taking.

Coming soon: This article was about Mind Control and WHY it is important. The upcoming follow-up article, being released on Monday, will give you the step-by-step process to take control of your mind. The title: “How to Control Your Mind for Fun and Profit.

Because taking control isn’t just survival—it’s strategy.
And it just might be the smartest, most profitable move you ever make.

Locus of Control: Key to Building a Winning Mindset

Locus of Control

In the pursuit of greatness, whether in sports, business, or personal development, one of the most critical yet often overlooked factors is the concept of locus of control. This psychological framework is a cornerstone for building a winning mindset, allowing individuals to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and maintain resilience in the face of adversity. Understanding and harnessing your locus of control can be the difference between a life defined by empowerment or one constrained by external forces.

What is Locus of Control?

Locus of control is a term coined by psychologist Julian Rotter in the 1950s. It refers to the degree to which individuals believe they have control over the outcomes of events in their lives. This belief system falls on a continuum between two extremes: internal control and external control.

Internal Locus of Control: Individuals with strong internal control believe that their actions, decisions, and efforts directly influence the results they experience. They see themselves as the architects of their destiny, understanding that their choices have a significant impact on their success or failure.

External Locus of Control: Conversely, those with strong external control attribute their outcomes to factors beyond their control, such as luck, fate, or the actions of others. These individuals often feel like pawns in a game, with little influence over their circumstances.

While most people fall somewhere in between these two extremes, the prevailing orientation of your locus of control can have profound implications on your mindset and approach to challenges.

The Connection Between Locus of Control and a Winning Mindset

A winning mindset is characterized by optimism, resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of goals. It is the mental foundation upon which success is built. The locus of control plays a crucial role in shaping this mindset by influencing how you perceive and react to the events around you.

Empowerment vs. Victimhood:

internal versus external locus of control

Individuals with internal control tend to adopt an empowering mindset. They see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, believing that they have the power to influence the outcome. This sense of control fuels their motivation, driving them to take action even when faced with obstacles.
On the other hand, those with external control often fall into a victimhood mentality. They view challenges as insurmountable barriers imposed by external forces, which leads to feelings of helplessness and a lack of initiative. This mindset can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the lack of effort results in failure, reinforcing the belief that success is out of reach.

Responsibility and Accountability:

A key component of a winning mindset is taking responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes. Those with an internal locus of control are more likely to accept responsibility for their successes and failures. This accountability allows them to learn from their mistakes, make adjustments, and improve over time.
In contrast, an external locus of control can lead to a tendency to blame others or external circumstances for one’s failures. This deflection of responsibility hinders personal growth and prevents individuals from making the necessary changes to achieve their goals.

Resilience and Adaptability:

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue pursuing goals despite adversity. An internal locus of control fosters resilience by reinforcing the belief that you have the power to overcome challenges. This mindset encourages adaptability, as individuals are more likely to see setbacks as temporary and within their control to change.
Those with an external locus of control may struggle with resilience, as they are more likely to view setbacks as permanent or out of their control. This can lead to a sense of defeatism and a reluctance to try again after failure.
Goal Setting and Achievement:

Individuals with an internal locus of control are more proactive in setting and pursuing goals. They believe that their efforts will directly impact their ability to achieve these goals, which motivates them to work hard and stay focused.
Conversely, those with an external locus of control may be less likely to set ambitious goals or put in the effort required to achieve them, believing that external factors will ultimately determine their success.

Real-Life Examples of Locus of Control in Action

To truly understand the impact of locus of control on building a winning mindset, it helps to look at real-life examples of individuals and scenarios where this concept has played a pivotal role.

Example 1: Michael Jordan’s Internal Locus of Control

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, is a prime example of someone with a strong internal locus of control. Jordan believed that his success was directly tied to his work ethic, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His famous quote, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” reflects his internal locus of control. Jordan understood that his failures were stepping stones to success and that he had the power to shape his destiny through his actions.

Example 2: The Rise of J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, also exemplifies the power of an internal locus of control. Before becoming a literary sensation, Rowling faced numerous rejections from publishers and struggled with personal challenges, including financial hardship. However, she believed in her ability to succeed and continued to persevere despite the setbacks. Her internal locus of control fueled her determination to keep writing and pursuing her dream, ultimately leading to one of the most successful book series in history.

Example 3: The Dangers of an External Locus of Control in Sports

In contrast, consider the example of athletes who blame external factors for their failures—such as referees, weather conditions, or the actions of opponents. This external locus of control can lead to a defeatist attitude, where athletes feel that their success is out of their hands. This mindset can prevent them from taking the necessary steps to improve their performance, leading to a cycle of underachievement.

Example 4: The Business World and Locus of Control

In the business world, leaders with an internal locus of control are more likely to innovate, take calculated risks, and drive their companies forward. They understand that their decisions and strategies play a crucial role in the success or failure of their organization. On the other hand, leaders with an external locus of control may be more risk-averse, often waiting for external conditions to improve before taking action. This can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation.

Cultivating an Internal Locus of Control for a Winning Mindset

Building a winning mindset requires cultivating an internal locus of control. While some individuals may naturally lean towards an internal or external locus of control, it is possible to shift your mindset through conscious effort and practice.

Self-Reflection and Awareness:

The first step in shifting your locus of control is to become aware of your current mindset. Reflect on how you typically respond to challenges and setbacks. Do you tend to take responsibility for your actions, or do you blame external factors? Awareness is the first step towards change.

Focus on What You Can Control:

Start by identifying the aspects of your life and goals that are within your control. This could include your attitude, effort, and the decisions you make. By focusing on what you can control, you empower yourself to take action and influence the outcomes you desire.

Set Achievable Goals:

Break down your larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. This not only makes your goals more manageable but also reinforces the belief that your actions directly impact your progress. Each small victory will strengthen your internal locus of control.

Take Responsibility for Your Actions:

Embrace accountability for both your successes and failures. When you succeed, acknowledge the role your effort played in achieving that success. When you fail, analyze what you could have done differently and use it as a learning experience. This approach fosters a growth mindset and reinforces the belief that you have control over your outcomes.

Surround Yourself with Positive Influences:

The people you surround yourself with can have a significant impact on your mindset. Seek out individuals who embody internal control and a winning mindset. Their attitude and approach to challenges will inspire you to adopt a similar perspective.

Practice Resilience and Adaptability:

Life is full of unexpected challenges, but how you respond to them defines your success. Cultivate resilience by viewing setbacks as temporary and within your power to overcome. Develop adaptability by being open to new strategies and solutions when faced with obstacles.

Celebrate Your Progress:

Finally, take time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress reinforces the belief that your actions have a direct impact on your success, further solidifying your internal control of your mindset.

The Last Word on …
Locus of Control in Building a Winning Mindset

Your locus of control is a powerful determinant of your mindset and ultimately your success. By cultivating an internal locus of control, you empower yourself to take charge of your destiny, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and maintain resilience in the face of adversity. This mindset is the foundation upon which greatness is built, enabling you to achieve your goals and live a life defined by purpose and fulfillment.

In the journey to building a winning mindset, remember that you are the author of your story. The decisions you make, the effort you put in, and the resilience you demonstrate will determine the outcome. Embrace your power, take control, and watch as you turn your dreams into reality.