Hey everyone, welcome back to The Maximum Success Podcast! I’m your host, Chris Bourke, and today, we’re going to talk about something that—if you truly understand it—will completely change the way you approach life, business, and success.
We’re talking about The Power of Positive Thinking.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking… “Chris, does positive thinking really make a difference? Or is this just one of those feel-good, fluffy ideas that doesn’t actually work in real life?”
Let me tell you right now—this is not just about “thinking happy thoughts” and hoping life gets better. This is about science, psychology, and the way your brain actually works. Positive thinking isn’t just about optimism—it’s about programming your mind to see opportunities where others see obstacles and training yourself to take action when most people freeze in fear.
And I can tell you from personal experience—this is one of the biggest factors in whether you stay stuck in a life you don’t want… or create the life you do want.
So today, we’re going to break this down, look at the science behind positive thinking, and—most importantly—give you some real strategies that you can start using right now to completely shift your mindset and transform your life.
Let’s dive in.
Let’s start with this: Your mindset shapes your reality.
This isn’t just a motivational quote—it’s backed by neuroscience.
Your brain has something called the Reticular Activating System—or RAS. Think of it as a filter that decides which information gets through to your conscious mind. You’re exposed to millions of pieces of information every single second. The RAS decides what’s important, based on what you focus on.
Ever notice how when you decide to buy a certain car, you suddenly start seeing that exact car everywhere? That’s your RAS at work. It’s not that more of those cars appeared—it’s that your brain is now tuned in to notice them.
Now, here’s where it gets powerful…
If you constantly tell yourself things like:
- “I’ll never be successful.”
- “I’m bad at money.”
- “Good things never happen to me.”
… your RAS is going to filter the world in a way that proves you right.
But if you start feeding your mind with:
- “I always find a way to succeed.”
- “Opportunities are everywhere.”
- “I am building the life I want.”
… suddenly, your brain starts filtering for evidence that supports that belief. You start seeing new opportunities, new connections, and new solutions.
It’s not magic. It’s how your brain works.
And I can tell you—I’ve seen this firsthand in my own life.
When I first started in business, I had no degree, no connections, and honestly, no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t some natural-born entrepreneur. But what I did have was the belief that I could figure it out.
I trained myself to focus on solutions instead of problems. If something didn’t work, I didn’t say, “Well, guess I’m not cut out for this.” I said, “Okay—what’s another way to do this?”
And that mindset shift—that ability to focus on what’s possible instead of what’s wrong—is what led me to build multiple successful businesses, work with thousands of clients, and ultimately design a life where I wake up every day doing something I love.
Now, don’t get me wrong—this doesn’t mean you ignore problems. It just means you approach them differently.
Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” you ask:
👉 “What can I learn from this?”
👉 “How can I grow from this?”
👉 “What’s the opportunity here?”
And trust me—there is always an opportunity.
So how do you actually build a positive mindset? Let’s break it down into three steps you can start using today.
Step one: Control what you feed your mind.
Look—if you’re constantly surrounded by negativity, it’s impossible to have a positive mindset.
This means you need to be intentional about the content you consume, the people you spend time with, and even the thoughts you allow yourself to dwell on.
Start by paying attention to what you listen to, what you watch, and who you talk to. If your social media feed is full of negativity, drama, or people complaining—change it. Follow people who inspire you, read books that challenge and uplift you, and listen to podcasts that fuel your growth.
I start every morning listening to something motivational while I have my coffee. Not because I need motivation—but because I know that what I feed my mind first thing in the morning sets the tone for the day.
Try it.
Step two: Reframe every challenge as an opportunity.
Look, bad things will happen. That’s life. But here’s the thing—your interpretation of events determines their impact on you.
I’ll give you an example.
A few years ago, I lost a big client. At first, I felt frustrated. But instead of staying stuck in that, I asked myself:
“What’s the lesson here?”
That one shift in thinking led me to create an even better offer—one that attracted higher-paying clients and actually made my business stronger.
So when something goes wrong, ask yourself:
👉 “How can I use this to grow?”
👉 “What’s the opportunity here?”
👉 “How can I turn this into an advantage?”
That simple shift changes everything.
Step three: Train your brain with powerful self-talk.
Your inner dialogue is shaping your future.
If you’re constantly telling yourself:
🚫 “I’m not good at this.”
🚫 “I don’t think I can do it.”
… you’re programming your brain for failure.
But if you start feeding your mind with:
✅ “I am getting better every day.”
✅ “I figure things out.”
✅ “Success is coming my way because I take action every day.”
… suddenly, your brain starts reinforcing those beliefs.
One of the best things you can do is start every morning with a few positive affirmations.
Try this for a week:
Every morning, say three positive statements about yourself and your future.
You’ll be amazed at how it shifts your confidence, your mindset, and your actions.
Alright, let’s wrap this up.
Your thoughts create your reality. If you change your thinking, you change your life.
Positive thinking isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about creating a new reality.
Here’s my challenge for you:
For the next 7 days…
✅ Eliminate negativity from your environment.
✅ Reframe every challenge as an opportunity.
✅ Take one action every day toward your goal.
Try it—and watch what happens.
And if you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor—like the podcast, leave a comment, and share this with someone who needs to hear it today.
And if you want more resources, head over to MaximumSuccess.co—I’ve got free guides and cheat sheets to help you take your mindset and success to the next level.
Alright, I’ll see you in the next episode—where we’re going to tackle How to Crush Self-Doubt & Build Unstoppable Confidence.
Stay focused. Stay positive. And go make it happen.
