Harness the Power of Your Mind

August 26, 2026

Hello friends,

Mindset is one of my favorite topics. I love to read about it and learn all I can. I’ve done this for many years and find it especially helpful for overcoming a diagnosis.

I spend time with clients focused on how to use the power of your mind to heal. It’s hugely important and beneficial.

Harnessing the power of the mind may not be easy, but it is something everyone can learn to do. Once you catch yourself—and that is the key, catching the thought—you can decide to think or believe something better.

 Good things to ask yourself when you notice your negative thoughts

• "Is this thought 100% true?”

• “What evidence supports or contradicts it?”

• "How can I reframe this thought to empower rather than diminish me?”

Here are some examples of reframing unhelpful thoughts:

• Original Thought: “This diagnosis means my life is over.”

• Reframed Thought: “This diagnosis is a major challenge, and while things will change, there are still meaningful moments and possibilities ahead.”

• Original Thought: “It’s my fault I got sick.”

• Reframed Thought: “No one chooses to get sick—many factors are beyond my control. I can focus on taking care of myself now.”

• Original Thought: “I won’t be able to handle the treatment.”

• Reframed Thought: “Treatment will be tough, but I have faced hard times before and can ask for help when I need it.”

• Original Thought: “What if I never feel like myself again?”

• Reframed Thought: “It may take time, but I can find new ways to feel good and be myself, even if things are different.”

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Transforming your thoughts during a cancer diagnosis is not about denying pain or difficulty; rather, it is about finding new ways to support yourself through the challenge. By utilizing practical tools, finding a compassionate community, and practicing self-kindness, you can navigate this journey with greater strength and hope.

If you would like support managing your mindset, I’ve included resources below that may help. I also cover this topic in my one-to-one coaching with women who have a stage 4 diagnosis. Schedule your Discovery Session today, and please be sure to complete the application right away.

In peace, love and health,

Karla        

Inspiration

• “It is not primarily our physical selves that limit us but rather our mindset about our physical limits.” ~ Ellen Langer, PhD, The Mindful Body

  
  

• “Changing the brain's default requires attention and effort. Your brain changes because your perception shifts. When you change the way you look at things, the brain you look with changes.” ~ Dan Tomasulo, PhD, Learned Hopefulness

Resources

Change the Story

• Non helpful stories i.e. “I’m not a meditator, I’m too restless, I’m not disciplined, I don’t have time”

• Helpful stories i.e. “I’m ready to make a change, I’m willing to try, I’ve learned other things, I can learn healthy habits”

The Power of an Adaptive Mindset: What the Research Shows

• Scientific evidence highlights how shifting our perspective can significantly impact physical and psychological health. Key findings from recent clinical studies include:

• The EMBRACE randomized controlled trial found that patients who shifted their mindset regarding cancer through online modules reported improved emotional wellbeing, better coping mechanisms, and reduced physical symptom distress.

• Stress Resilience: Viewing stress as "enhancing" rather than "debilitating" is linked to healthier cortisol responses and improved long-term wellbeing for up to two years.

• Quality of Life: Patients who view illness as a manageable challenge or an opportunity for growth consistently report a higher quality of life than those who view it as a catastrophe.

Just for Fun

Silence Your Inner Critic

The goal of this exercise is to work on silencing your inner critic. When your inner critic is loud, it's difficult to focus on your strengths or accept all the positive things about yourself.

1. Whenever you experience a negative thought about yourself, replace it with a positive one. For example, instead of, I should have gotten more done today, think I was able to get this done today. This will help you shift from your perceived faults and failures to your accomplishments and open yourself up to positive feelings and confidence.

2. Practice this shift by creating a 2-column list, on one side, write down the critical thoughts, then cross them out and rewrite them as positive thoughts in the other column.