You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” But have you ever thought about it in a broader sense? Just like your diet influences your physical health, the “inputs” you consume daily—what you watch, read, listen to, and the people you surround yourself with—shape your mental and emotional well-being. These inputs play a massive role in how you think, feel, and ultimately, how you live your life. Because of their influence, it’s crucial to check your inputs and make sure they add more to your life than what they take away from it.
The Power of Inputs: Why They Matter
Let’s start with the basics: inputs are everything you take in from the world around you. This includes the media you consume, the conversations you engage in, the environments you spend time in, and the thoughts you entertain. Whether you realize it or not, these inputs are constantly influencing your mood, your mindset, and your actions.
Here’s the deal—negative inputs lead to negative outcomes. If you’re constantly exposed to fear-based news, toxic relationships, or self-doubt, it’s going to show up in your life. You might start feeling anxious, discouraged, or stuck. On the flip side, positive inputs—uplifting content, supportive people, and encouraging thoughts—have the opposite effect. They boost your mood, inspire action, and help you grow into the person you want to be.
The Inputs That Influence Your Life Most
Not all inputs are created equal. Some have a bigger impact on your life than others. Let’s break down the major ones:
Media Consumption
This includes everything from the news you watch to the social media feeds you scroll through. If your feeds are filled with negativity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and pessimistic about the world. On the other hand, following positive accounts, watching educational videos, or reading inspiring books fills your mind with new ideas and motivation.
On the other end of this argument, you may be consuming plenty of positive content that is meant to motivate, and it just doesn’t because you’re sitting there comparing yourself to someone else. If this is your case, focus on overcoming social comparison and switch your focus to your own journey instead of other people’s.
Relationships
The people you spend the most time with heavily influence your mindset and behavior. If you’re surrounded by negative, critical, or unmotivated people, their energy will rub off on you. If it hasn’t yet, it’s only a matter of time. But if your circle includes positive, supportive, and ambitious individuals, they’ll lift you up and encourage you to be your best self. Doesn’t that sound more enjoyable?
Environment
Your surroundings—where you live, work, and hang out—also affect your mental state. A cluttered, chaotic environment might make you feel stressed and scattered. But a clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing space promotes peace and productivity.
Self-Talk
The way you talk to yourself is perhaps the most important input of all. If your inner dialogue is full of criticism and doubt, it’s going to hold you back. But if you practice positive self-talk, you’ll start believing in your abilities and pushing yourself toward your goals.
How to Check Your Inputs
So, how do you ensure that your inputs are positive and constructive? Here’s a simple approach:
Audit Your Media Diet
Take a close look at what you’re consuming online and offline. Are the books, social posts, shows, podcasts, or articles you’re engaging with leaving you feeling drained or inspired? If it’s the former, it’s time to make some changes. Unfollow negative accounts (or take a social media break altogether), limit your consumption and seek out content that uplifts and educates you.
Evaluate Your Relationships
Reflect on the people in your life. Do they support your growth, or do they bring you down? It’s not always easy, but sometimes you need to distance yourself from negative influences. Instead, invest time in relationships that nourish your soul and challenge you to be better.
Assess Your Environment
Look around your living and working spaces. Are they helping you feel calm and focused, or do they contribute to your stress? Small changes, like decluttering your desk or adding some greenery to your home, make a big difference.
Monitor Your Self-Talk
Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself. When you catch negative thoughts creeping in, challenge them and replace them with positive thoughts and actions. Over time, this significantly shifts your mindset and boosts your confidence.
Choosing Positive Inputs: The Path to a Better Life
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to consciously choose positive inputs. It might take some effort at first, but the payoff is worth it. When you surround yourself with positivity, it becomes easier to maintain a healthy mindset, make better decisions, and live a more fulfilling life.
Remember, you have control over what you allow into your mind and life. By regularly checking and choosing your inputs, you’re taking an active role in shaping your future. And that’s a power worth harnessing.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your life, aside from changing your inputs, try your hand at being in the moment more often. Focusing on the present is a great way to appreciate moments while you’re in them, rather than after they’ve happened.
