How to Rewire Your Brain (Using a Sticky Note) for People Who Feel Lost

You ever feel like you're completely lost, like you're stuck in a rut and you can't find your way out? It's a scary feeling, especially for an entrepreneur like you who's used to chasing big dreams. You might be waking up dreading the day, wondering, what am I even doing with my life and business? If that's you, stay with me. It might sound crazy, but a simple sticky note could be the key to rewiring your brain and getting you back on track. I'm going to show you how, step by step, backed by real neuroscience. And if you make it to the end of the video, put a hashtag #believe in the comments below and we might feature you here in a future video. Believe. The problem: feeling lost on your entrepreneurial journey. So feeling lost or stuck is more common than you think, especially among entrepreneurs. You pour your heart into your business and sometimes it feels like you're getting nowhere. You start doubting yourself and those doubts just keep replaying over and over in your mind. Studies have found that approximately half of entrepreneurs experience at least one significant mental health challenge like anxiety or depression in their lifetime. So if you're feeling this way, you are not alone. Far from it. The problem is, the more that you tell yourself that you're lost or that you're failing, the more your brain believes it. Negative thoughts can become a loop and a mental trick that plays over and over again. But here's the good news. Your brain can change and you can break that loop. Neuroplasticity. Yes, you can change your brain. So your brain isn't fixed in stone. It has an amazing ability called neuroplasticity. That's a fancy word that means it can rewire and adapt throughout your life. So in simple terms, when you learn something or you repeat something, your brain cells, neurons, form new connections. So neuroscientists often say it like this: neurons that fire together wire together. So what does that mean? If you repeatedly think or do the same thing, the neurons involved start connecting more strongly, making that thought or that action easier the next time. It's how habits form and skills develop. So think about it. If every day you tell yourself, I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm lost, you're literally wiring your brain to stay lost. Those neurons keep firing together and strengthening that belief. But, and huge but, if you start feeding your brain a new message, you can wire a new pathway. It's like carving a fresh trail through a forest. Forest. At first, it's hard to even see, but walk it enough times and it becomes a clear path. According to brain experts, the brain forms interconnections based on repeated simultaneous activity. In other words, repeat a positive thought enough and your brain will rewire itself to adopt it. This is real neuroscience. Your brain can literally change its structure and function with focused practice over time. Okay, so now how do we make use of this superpower of neuroplasticity to help you stop feeling lost and start feeling driven again? That's where our simple tool comes in, the sticky note. Why focus and belief matter, the power of your mindset. So before we dive into the sticky note method, you need to understand why this works. It comes down to focus and belief. There's a part of your brain called the reticular activating system or RAS. Think of it as your brain's filter for information. Your brain is bombarded with signals every second and the RAS helps decide what actually gets your attention. So you ever notice how if you learn a new word, you suddenly start hearing it everywhere? Or if you decide on a certain car to buy, you suddenly start seeing that car on the road all the time? That's your RAS at work. It filters in what you've programmed it to consider important. So when you feel lost, your mind is often zeroed in on negative thoughts like, uh, I'm directionless, or nothing ever works out for me. Your RAS will then filter the world to confirm those beliefs. You'll zero in on more evidence that you're stuck and miss opportunities or solutions. So we need to flip that script for you by setting a clear intention or goal for yourself and repeating it. You tell your RAS, hey, this is important to me. As a result, you start to notice ideas and people and opportunities that align with that new focus. Neuroscience researchers put it this way: if you clearly define your goal and write it down, you will start noticing connections in conversations and seeing different avenues in your environment that help you achieve it. So those opportunities were probably there all along, but now your brain is tuned in. This is also where belief comes in, right? If you believe you're stuck, you'll act stuck. If you believe you can change, you will start changing. As Henry Ford famously said, whether you think you can or you can't, you're right. In other words, your mindset sets the limit on your potential. Again, this isn't just a motivational talk. It's backed by psychology. Optimism and a sense of self-efficacy— that's the belief that you can influence your situation— have been linked to better resilience and performance. So when you have a hopeful, positive narrative in your head, you make better choices and create better outcomes. So how do we train your focus and belief towards the positive? All right. Enter the sticky note, your new daily brain trainer. Why a sticky note? The science behind this simple tool. So why are we using a sticky note of all things? It seems almost too simple, right? That's the beauty of it. A sticky note is cheap, it's easy, and it can serve as a constant visual reminder of the change that you're trying to make. Here's why it works, backed by science. Writing engages your brain, so don't just think your new intention, write it down by hand. Neuroscience research from the University of Tokyo found that writing by hand actually increases brain activity in areas involved in memory and recall, much more than typing on a phone or computer. In the study, people who wrote on physical paper could remember information better and even completed tasks 25% faster than those who use digital devices. Why? Writing on paper gives your brain unique tactile and spatial information, creating stronger memory traces. In short, putting pen to paper makes your brain sit up and pay attention. When you scribble a powerful phrase on a sticky note, you're imprinting it deeper into your mind than if you just silently thought about it. Next, visual cues trigger action. A sticky note placed in your environment, like on your bathroom mirror or your computer monitor, it becomes a cue. So psychologists who study habits will tell you that cues are a big part of forming new routines. Your environment can prompt you to think or act in a certain way without you even realizing it. So if you see a bright sticky note each morning that says, for example, keep moving forward, it interrupts your autopilot thinking and refocuses you on that idea. It's hard to ignore a neon Post-it by your face. By making the positive message highly visible, you ensure that you're repeatedly triggering the new thought. Remember, neurons that fire together wire together. So every time you see the note and think the thought, you're strengthening that neural wiring. Next, affirmations rewire thought patterns. So the sticky note message will essentially be a positive affirmation or a focused thought. Repeating affirmations have been shown to have real effects on the brain and on stress levels. Research published in Psychology Today notes that positive self-talk can counteract and eventually quiet the negative thoughts in our heads. We all have negative self-talk that holds us back, but when you deliberately introduce positive statements, you start to drown out the negativity over time. So think of it like this: affirmations are exercises for your brain. Just as doing reps in the gym builds your muscles, doing repetitions of a positive statement builds new mental pathways. Over time, you reprogram your brain and replace the old limiting circuits with new empowering ones. In fact, studies have shown that a habit of affirmations can reduce stress and even improve people's problem-solving and health choices. That's because you're training your brain to focus on possibilities and strengths rather than fears. Next, emotion boosts memory. So here's a pro tip: when you read your sticky note, feel it. Don't just say it. Neuroscience tells us that emotional experience gets remembered more strongly than neural ones. So for example, you probably remember your first victory in business or a major setback very vividly because it had a strong emotion attached to it. Research has found that memories of emotional events are often more vivid and accurate than memories of ordinary events. Emotional arousal hardwires details into your brain. So if your sticky note says, "I have a purpose," and reading that gives you a spark of hope or determination, that emotional charge will help lock in the message. So smile, stand tall, and let yourself feel the positivity of confidence of the statement. By combining the intention, which is the words on the note, with emotion, you're signaling to your brain that this is important, and your brain will remember and integrate it faster. So in short, a sticky note works on multiple levels. It's engaging your brain through writing, it's grabbing your attention visually, it's reinforcing positive self-talk, and if you involve emotion, it's turbocharging all of those effects. Not bad for Tiny piece of paper right now. Let's get practical and walk through how you can use a sticky note to start rewiring your brain and guiding yourself out of that lost feeling. If you want to take real action after this video, I made a free worksheet just for you. It covers the top lessons from today, gives you space to write your biggest takeaways, and helps you build a simple action plan. It's 100% free. Just click the link in the description to go grab it. Let's start building real momentum in your life and business. I'll see you there. The Sticky Note Brain Rewire Step-by-Step Guide. Okay, it's time to take action. Grab a pen and a pad of sticky notes, right? We're going to create your very own brain rewiring note. Here's a simple step-by-step process. Step number 1, choose one powerful message. First, decide on a word or phrase that captures what you want to believe or focus on most. Make it positive and present tense. It could be an affirmation, a goal, or simply a reminder of your core purpose. Think about the mindset that you want to install in your brain. So, for example, if you've been feeling directionless, your message might be something like, "I have a clear purpose," or "I am focused and moving forward." If you feel like a failure, it could be, "I am capable of great things." Make sure that it resonates with you deeply. Less is more here. A short, clear phrase is easier for your brain to latch onto. And here's a pro tip: in my book, Your One Word, I talk about finding your core value or theme for your life. This can also be a great source for your sticky note. My one word is believe, and seeing that word reminds me of what I do. So take a moment to pick your word or phrase that represents the opposite of feeling lost, something that represents being guided, being purposeful, being strong, or whatever you need right now. Another one of my personal favorites when I feel lost is that great things come to 'Whenever I don't know what to do and I struggle and I feel like none of my plans are working out, I tell myself, I write on a sticky note, great things come to me.' Okay, step number 2: write it by hand. Now take out your sticky note and write your message by hand. Write it in big bold letters so that you can see it at a glance. As you write it, say it in your head or say it out loud. This simple act is already beginning to wire it into your brain. Remember, writing engages your brain more than just typing or just thinking. So for example, if you choose the phrase, "I am focused and unstoppable." Write out, "I am focused and unstoppable." On that note, the physical act of writing and the mental act of affirming it start forging a new neural pathway. And here's a pro tip. Use a color that stands out. I'm using, you know, white and black that are on brand for me right now, but a bright yellow or orange sticky note can grab your attention more than a dull color. You want this to literally stand out in your environment and in your mind. Step number 3, place your sticky note strategically. So put that sticky note somewhere where you will see it every single day, especially first thing in the morning and throughout the day. So some good suggestion spots: your bathroom mirror, you see it when you go and you brush your teeth. Your bedroom door, you see it before you go to sleep. The refrigerator, your computer monitor. Choose a place associated with when you often feel lost or in a down mood. So for a lot of people, the morning mirror is powerful because you start the day by looking at this positive message instead of immediately drowning in your worries. So by placing it in a high visibility spot, you ensure that you get that daily cue. Setting up a checkpoint where your brain gets a dose of positivity and focus automatically. And hey, you can even have multiple notes for multiple places if you want some extra reinforcement. The key is don't hide it. Make it unmissable. Step number 4: Read it, repeat it, feel it. So every time you see your sticky note, read it consciously. Don't just glance at it and ignore it. Take a second to really absorb it. Read it out loud if you can. Yes, talk to yourself. It works. Say it with conviction. Say it like you're telling yourself the most important truth. And here's the important part: feel the words. If your note says, 'I have a purpose,' recall for a moment why you started your entrepreneurial journey and feel that sense of purpose spark up. If it says, 'I am strong,' stand a little straighter and feel the strength in you. Infuse the affirmation with emotion and meaning. This helps encode it deeper in your brain and faster. It might feel a little silly at first, but trust me, this is training your brain. You're not just reading a note, you're rewiring your neural circuits. Try to do this every single time you encounter the note. So make a tiny little ritual. See the note, say the note, and feel it for a moment. These few seconds of mindfulness are rewiring you bit by bit. Step number 5: Take small actions. Optional but powerful. After reading your note and getting into that positive mindset, try to do something small that aligns with the message. So this step links your new mindset with tangible action, which reinforces it even more. So for example, if your note says, "I am moving forward," right after you read it, do a couple of quick tasks that show that you're moving forward. Send that email you've been procrastinated on or spend 5 minutes brainstorming solutions to a problem that you've been stuck on. This creates a mental association between the state of mind, the I'm proactive and focused, and the actual behavior. Action also gives you evidence that what you're telling yourself is true. So you'll start to say, "Hey, I am getting things done. Look at me go." Those small wins each day piled up build momentum out of your rut. So remember, feeling lost often causes inaction, so we counter it with small action. Your sticky note becomes a trigger not just for thinking better but doing better. Step number 6: stay consistent. Make it a daily habit. Rewiring your brain isn't an instant miracle. It's a daily practice. The brain learns by repetition over time. Researchers have found that forging a new habit takes on average about 66 days of consistent repetition, about 2 months for it to become automatic. So commit to this sticky note practice every day for the next few months. It literally takes less than a minute of your day to do, so make it non-negotiable. If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up. Just get back to it the next day. Some days you might not feel those words are true. That's okay. Still say them. In fact, especially say them on the hard days. You are rewiring those old beliefs, and that old "I'm lost" circuit will take a little time to weaken as the new "I have direction" circuit takes over. Trust the process. Science backs this up. With each repetition, that new neural connection is getting just a little bit stronger. It's just like muscle training. You might not see the bicep on day 1, right? But by day 30 or 60, there's growth. So keep at it daily. Step number 7, refresh your notes over time. So here's a practical tip. If the sticky note starts to blend into the background after a few weeks, you might get too used to it, right? Feel free to move it to a new spot or write a new note to keep things fresh. You could upgrade your message's progress. So for example, if, uh, I have purpose has sunk in and you're feeling more directed, maybe your next note says execute with passion, or great things come to me, or whatever next step you need. This isn't about constantly changing goals, but rather keeping your brain engaged. Sometimes a new wording or a new color paper reignites your focus again, but if the original message still hits home, you can absolutely keep the same note up as long as it motivates you. And so by following these steps, you've essentially set up a a mini neuroscience experiment just on yourself. You've created a positive feedback loop. The note triggers a positive thought, which triggers positive emotion and action, which gives positive results, which then reinforces the positive belief. This loop over time pulls you out of the mental quicksand of feeling lost. It's simple but incredibly powerful when done consistently. Bringing it all together, motivation and next steps. At this point, you might be thinking, can a sticky note Really changed my life. And on its own, the sticky note is just a tool. You are the one changing your life. The note is a daily catalyst. It's a prompt to remind you of what matters and what you're capable of. It helps you break the cycle of negative thinking and replaces it with intentional positive focus. So think about this: the fact that you're willing to try this means you haven't given up. There's a part of you that knows that you have a purpose, that you can find your way again. We're just using science and a little piece of paper to draw that out and make it your dominant mindset. Small things lead to big changes. Writing a couple of words on a sticky note is a small act, but doing it every day with heart and intention can lead to a profound mindset shift. And remember, you're not just doing mind tricks. You're leveraging how your brain naturally works. You're using neuroplasticity, which is your brain's ability to adapt. You're using psychological principles of habit formation and attention. You're effectively coaching your brain like you would train a muscle. There's real weight behind this. For instance, self-affirmation practices have been shown to reduce stress and increase well-being in scientific studies. Entrepreneurs and high performers around the world use techniques like visualization, affirmations, and goal setting because they work. And now you have your personalized version of that. I want to emphasize If you feel lost, don't go it alone. Yes, the sticky note exercise is something that you can do by yourself, but also make sure that you're talking to mentors and friends and experts who can support you too. Sometimes a conversation, reading a good book, watching an inspiring video— I've interviewed countless successful people on my channel and featured them where we talk about pushing through tough times— that can also give you a boost of perspective. So use those resources. For example, if finding purpose is a big issue for you, check out my book, Your One Word, or Built to Serve, where I dive into how serving others can give your work meaning. In fact, one strategy I mentioned is remembering who you're serving, maybe your customers, your family, or a younger version of you. You can even write that on a sticky note, something like, I built this business to help new moms, or remember why you started. A purpose-driven reminder can be incredibly grounding when you feel lost. It pulls you out of your own head and directs your focus to the impact that you want to have. And let's also talk a little bit about motivation. Change, even with a tool as simple as this, can feel slow. You might do this for a week and think, is anything happening? Trust that it is. Your brain is changing quietly day by day. Others might start noticing you seem a little more upbeat or determined even before you fully notice it. You'll gradually find that the lost feelings visit you less often, and when they do, you now have a way to steer your thoughts back on course. So celebrate those small victories. Maybe you felt excited about your project for the first time in months. That's a win. Maybe you solved a problem at work that you felt that felt too stuck to handle before. Another one. These are signs that your sticky note, and more importantly, your commitment to a new mindset, is paying off. Your new path forward. Look at the journey we've laid out here, from understanding why you feel lost to learning that your brain can change, to setting up a practical method to redirect your focus every day. It's actionable and it's backed by neuroscience. Now the ball is in your court. Will you take that first step? Will you spend 5 minutes or less to write out that note and place it where you need it? I hope you do, because that tiny action could spark a transformation for you. Imagine yourself a few months from now. You walk past your mirror in the morning and you see your note. I am focused and unstoppable. Except it's not just a note anymore. It's your reality. You've been living it. You feel more clear, you feel more driven, and more you again. The challenges are still there. Entrepreneurship is never easy, but now you tackle them with a mindset that says, I will find a way. That's the difference rewiring your brain can make. So you have the tools, you have the knowledge, and deep down you have that fire that pushed you to start this journey of entrepreneurship in the first place. It might have dimmed for a moment, but you're about to reignite it. Every great entrepreneur Every success story has faced moments of feeling lost. And the ones who rise are those who choose to believe in themselves and put in the work to change. And now it's your turn. So take that sticky note, craft your future one day at a time. Your brain will follow your lead. It just needs you to show up consistently. So make that promise to yourself. You are not lost. You are recalibrating. You are learning. Growing and rewiring for success. So go ahead and do this. Do this for you. Start now and stick with it, literally. And soon you'll look back and realize that the fog has lifted and you're on a clear path forward, a path that you created by training your mind. And remember, you have the power to change your story because you have the power to change your brain. It all starts with a single decision, a sticky note, and a belief that things can be different. So are you ready to rewrite your narrative? I know you can do it. Now it's time for you to know it, feel it, and live it every day. Go make it happen. Believe. If you want to learn how to stay positive every day, check the video right there next to me. I think you'll love it. Continue to believe, and I'll see you there. You think the worst advice you ever got was bad? Listening to negativity, whether it comes from other people or from that little voice of self-doubt in your head, is even worse. Bad advice is occasional and obvious, but negativity can be constant and insidious.