So, you know the feeling of a downward spiral? One bad thing happens, then a few more, and suddenly you're caught in a cycle of struggle. It feels impossible to pull yourself out—that’s a downward spiral. We’ve all been there. But did you know you can also get caught in an upward spiral? This is where things just keep getting better: one good thing leads to the next, then the next, and suddenly, you’re on a winning streak. In this article, I’m going to show you how to rewire your brain for positivity and put yourself on that positive upward spiral trajectory. I’ll explain how to stay there so you can keep going up, making life better and better.
The Winner Effect
I recently read a book called The Winner Effect. I highly recommend it, and I’ll add the Amazon link below.
The author, Dr. Ian Robertson, explains, “Those who win tend to keep winning,” and “those who lose tend to keep losing.” This is why we can either get caught in an upward spiral or a downward spiral. Are we going to keep winning, or are we going to keep losing? What trajectory are we on?
Now, I’ll get into how to put ourselves on that upward trajectory, but first, let’s understand this concept in more depth. In the book, the author uses Mike Tyson as an example. If you don’t know who Mike Tyson is, he’s a legendary pro boxer. In 1995, after serving time in prison, he returned to the boxing scene. His managers set up his first two fights with boxers who weren’t as challenging, ensuring he would win. In Tyson’s first comeback match, he knocked out his opponent in just 89 seconds, and he dominated the next match too.
What did this do? It set him on the trajectory of a positive, upward spiral, giving him a winning streak. His managers did this intentionally to help him get into the habit and mindset of winning. By feeling what winning felt like early on, he was better prepared for more challenging opponents. This mindset transformation worked.
The author also describes an experiment with mice. While animal experiments are ethically questionable, the results were fascinating. Scientists placed two mice in a cage to “fight,” but one mouse was sedated, so it had no chance of winning. Unsurprisingly, the sedated mouse lost, while the other mouse won. Interestingly, the mouse that won kept winning in future encounters, while the mouse that initially lost continued to fail. Winning actually changes the body’s chemistry, increasing hormones like dopamine and building confidence. This experiment shows that rewiring your brain for emotional well-being is possible. When we win, we’re more likely to keep winning, and this is what’s known as the winner effect. We can apply this concept to life, using it to create an upward spiral mindset and positive brain.
1. Give Yourself the Chance to Win
The more we win, the more we tend to keep winning. This means we need to set achievable goals—goals we can actually win at. For example, if your goal is to become a billionaire, that’s fantastic, but is that realistic at this point in your life? Probably not. Or if you want to get fit and decide to hit the gym every single day, that’s admirable but likely unsustainable. Setting unachievable goals, like never eating sugar again, is setting yourself up for failure. When you feel like a winner, you get the winning effects; when you feel like a loser, you get the losing effects.
If your goals are unachievable, you’ll feel like you’re constantly failing. Little by little, your subconscious starts to think, “I’m a failure.” Success mindset strategies involve breaking big goals into smaller, achievable ones. If your goal is to create a successful business that earns a million dollars a year, that’s a great goal! But if you’re only focused on the end result, each small step—like setting up a basic website or getting your first client—might feel inconsequential or even like failure. Setting smaller, achievable goals along the way will help you build that winning streak. To rewire your brain for a growth mindset and create a growth mindset trajectory, you need to give yourself the chance to win and celebrate every step of progress.
2. Embrace the "Winner" Mindset
In sports, winning is obvious—black and white. But in life, winning is subjective and largely based on perception. This is essential because rewiring your brain for happiness relies on developing positive thinking patterns. When we feel like we’ve won, we stay motivated, confident, and positive. This keeps us moving upward on that upward spiral.
Sometimes, life hands us a clear win, like a promotion, a great first date, or visible results from working out. But not every situation is as clear. Let’s say your boyfriend breaks up with you. That may feel like a loss, but in reality, he just opened up the path for someone more aligned with you. Or, you might have to close a struggling business. This might seem like a setback, but it’s an opportunity to learn and succeed with your next venture.
In life, many situations can be perceived as a win or a loss, and it’s mostly up to us. This perception impacts whether we stay on an upward spiral or start a downward one. In psychology, the Broaden and Build Theory states that when we experience positive emotions, our minds open up, allowing us to notice and take advantage of opportunities. A positive mindset means focusing on the good, helping us stay on an upward trajectory. When we think negatively, our focus narrows, causing us to miss out on possibilities. Choose to see things as wins whenever possible.
3. Use "The Domino Effect" to Your Advantage
We always have a domino effect happening in our lives. One action leads to the next, and before you know it, you’re on a trajectory—upward or downward. For example, if you stay up late scrolling on your phone, you’ll likely wake up tired, skip breakfast, and feel grumpy all day. This could lead to skipping your workout, feeling worse, and ending the day on a low note.
Alternatively, imagine getting into the habit of waking up on time and working out in the morning. Because of these positive habits, you start eating better, drinking more water, and feeling energized. With more energy and confidence, you sleep better, your skin looks healthier, and your mind feels clearer. This positive domino effect leads to better relationships, greater career success, and increased happiness.
To rewire your brain for positivity and get on an upward spiral, be intentional with your choices. Every action you take and every thought you have is a domino setting off a chain reaction. If you want to stay on a positive trajectory, recognize the first few dominoes you’re setting down each day.
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