The RAS Reset: Train Your Brain to Notice the Good Stuff

Let’s dive into something absolutely mind-blowing that’s happening in your brain right this very second. And the best part? Once you understand it, you’ll have a superpower that can literally change your entire experience of life.

I’m talking about your Reticular Activating System—or RAS for short. And trust me, this little bundle of nerves is about to become your new best friend.

The Magic Behind the “Suddenly Everywhere” Phenomenon

You know that wild experience when you learn a new word and then—BOOM—it’s like God conspired to make everyone say it? Or when you’re thinking about buying a specific car, and suddenly you see that exact model on every street corner? I’ve used this as an example before, so if you’ve followed me for awhile, you’ve seen it.

I remember when I first learned about the concept of “flow state.” Within a week, I heard it mentioned in three different podcasts, saw it referenced in two books I was reading, and had a friend bring it up in casual conversation. Was the universe trying to tell me something? Well, sort of—but not in the mystical way you might think.

What’s actually happening is your RAS is working exactly as it’s designed to. And here’s the thing—it’s been doing this your entire life, whether you knew it or not.

Think about it: Right now, as you’re reading this, there are probably dozens of sounds around you that you’re not consciously aware of. Maybe there’s traffic outside, the hum of your refrigerator, birds chirping, or the sound of your own breathing. Your brain is receiving all of this information, but your RAS is filtering most of it out so you can focus on what it deems “important”—in this case, these words on your screen.

This filtering system is actually a beautiful gift. Without it, we’d be completely overwhelmed by the estimated 11 million bits of information our senses take in every second. Can you imagine trying to consciously process every single input? We’d be paralyzed! (But, I swear my brain tries. “Squirrel!”)

Your Personal Information Bouncer

Picture your RAS as the world’s most dedicated bouncer at the club of your consciousness. It’s standing at the door, checking every piece of incoming information against its VIP list, deciding what gets into your awareness and what gets turned away.

But here’s where it gets really interesting—and where your power lies. YOU get to decide who’s on that VIP list.

Your RAS creates its filtering criteria based on three main things: repetition, emotional intensity, and what you’ve told it is important through your focus and beliefs. It’s like having a personal assistant who’s incredibly good at following instructions, even when those instructions aren’t serving you.

If you constantly think thoughts like “I’m always running late,” your RAS goes, “Got it, boss! Let me show you every clock, every moment of rushed energy, every instance that proves this belief true.” It starts highlighting all the evidence that supports this story while filtering out contradictory information—like the times you arrive early or right on time.

The same thing happens with thoughts like “I’m not creative,” “Money is hard to come by,” or “I never get chosen for opportunities.” Your RAS becomes laser-focused on collecting evidence to support these beliefs, creating what feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But here’s the beautiful flip side: Your RAS is just as eager to prove positive beliefs true.

The Science Behind the Magic

Let me share a bit about what’s actually happening in your brain, because I think you’ll find it as fascinating as I do.

Your RAS is a network of neurons located in your brainstem—the most primitive part of your brain that’s been with us since our earliest evolutionary days. It’s about the size of your little finger, but don’t let its small size fool you. This little powerhouse is connected to your cortex, your limbic system, and your thalamus, making it a central hub for processing information.

From a survival perspective, the RAS developed to help our ancestors quickly identify threats and opportunities. If you were walking through the forest and there was a rustle in the bushes, your RAS would immediately flag that as potentially important information—because it could be a predator or prey.

In our modern world, we don’t need to worry about saber-toothed tigers, but our RAS is still working around the clock, filtering information based on what it thinks will help us survive and thrive. The challenge is that it can’t distinguish between a genuinely helpful belief and a limiting one—it just follows orders.

Real-Life RAS in Action

Let me tell you about Sarah, one of my coaching clients. When she first came to me, she was convinced that “good opportunities always go to other people.” She’d been passed over for a few promotions at work, and her RAS had latched onto this belief like a dog with a bone.

Every day, Sarah would notice colleagues getting recognition, other people’s social media posts about their successes, and any instance where she felt overlooked. Her RAS was dutifully collecting evidence to support her belief, while simultaneously filtering out her own achievements, the times she was appreciated, and the opportunities that were actually available to her.

We worked together to gently shift her focus. Instead of “Good opportunities always go to other people,” we started with “I’m open to noticing opportunities that are meant for me.” Within just a few weeks, Sarah started seeing things differently. She noticed a mentor who had been trying to connect with her for months. Then, she realized that her boss had been giving her increasingly complex projects because they trusted her abilities. Later, she spotted a job posting that seemed tailor-made for her skills.

The opportunities hadn’t magically appeared—they’d been there all along. Sarah’s RAS had just been programmed to filter them out.

The Gentle Art of RAS Training

Now, let’s talk about how you can lovingly guide your RAS to work for your highest good. I say “lovingly” because this process works best when approached with curiosity and compassion rather than force or frustration.

Step 1: Become Aware of Your Current Programming

The first step is simply noticing what your RAS is currently prioritizing. Pay attention to your internal dialogue for a few days. What themes keep coming up? What do you find yourself complaining about or worrying about repeatedly?

This isn’t about judging yourself—these patterns developed for good reasons, often as protection mechanisms. But awareness is the first step toward choice.

Maybe you notice thoughts like:

• “There’s never enough time”
• “I’m not as talented as others”
• “Things always go wrong at the last minute”
• “I’m terrible with technology”
• “Nobody understands me”

Just notice them with gentle curiosity, like you’re observing clouds passing through the sky.

Step 2: Choose Your New Programming Thoughtfully

Now comes the fun part—deciding what you’d love your RAS to help you notice instead. The key here is to choose thoughts that feel both inspiring and believable to you right now.

If you’re currently thinking “I never have enough money,” jumping straight to “I’m a millionaire” might feel too far-fetched for your RAS to accept. Instead, try something like “I’m becoming more aware of abundance in my life” or “I’m open to new ways money can flow to me” or “I always find enough to meet my needs.”

The goal is to find thoughts that make you feel more expansive and hopeful without triggering your internal skeptic.

Some examples of RAS-friendly upgraded thoughts:

• Instead of “I’m always behind”: Try “I’m learning to trust my timing”
• Instead of “I’m not creative”: Try “I’m discovering new ways to express myself”
• Instead of “People don’t listen to me”: Try “I’m attracting people who value my voice”
• Instead of “I can’t figure this out”: Try “I’m open to solutions appearing”

Step 3: Feed Your RAS Through Repetition and Emotion

Your RAS learns through repetition and emotional intensity, so consistency is key. But this doesn’t have to feel like work—in fact, it works better when it feels good.

Write your new thought on sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them regularly. Say it out loud while you’re making your morning coffee or taking your evening walk. This would be a great journal activity! The more senses you can involve, the better.

And here’s a secret: Your RAS responds beautifully to questions. Instead of just stating your new belief, try asking empowering questions like:

• “What if abundance is all around me?”
• “How might this situation be working out perfectly?”
• “What opportunities might I be missing?”
• “How is life supporting me today?”

Questions engage your RAS in active searching mode, which can be incredibly powerful.

Step 4: Celebrate the Evidence

As your RAS starts highlighting information that supports your new beliefs, celebrate it! This reinforces the new programming and makes the process enjoyable.

Keep a “RAS wins” journal where you write down instances of your new beliefs showing up in reality. Maybe you chose to focus on “I have wonderful friends,” and then you notice a sweet text from a friend, a genuine compliment from a colleague, or an invitation to something fun. Write it down! Your RAS loves positive reinforcement.

The Ripple Effect of RAS Awareness

As you start working consciously with your RAS, you might notice something beautiful happening. Your entire experience of life begins to shift, not because external circumstances have dramatically changed, but because you’re noticing different aspects of the same reality.

It’s like the difference between wearing sunglasses that filter out beauty and wearing glasses that enhance it. The world is the same world, but your experience of it becomes richer, more supportive, and more aligned with what you truly want, and who you want to be.

I’ve seen clients who started by shifting one small belief about themselves end up transforming their relationships, their careers, and their entire sense of what’s possible. Because when you change the filter through which you see the world, everything looks different.

Common RAS Training Challenges (And How to Navigate Them)

Let’s be real—this process isn’t always smooth sailing, and that’s completely normal. Here are some challenges you might encounter and how to work with them:

Challenge 1: “But what if I’m just fooling myself?” This is your current programming trying to protect you from disappointment. Acknowledge this concern with compassion, then remember that you’re not ignoring reality—you’re choosing to focus on aspects of reality that serve your growth and happiness.

Challenge 2: “I keep forgetting to practice my new thoughts” Set gentle reminders on your phone, link your new thoughts to existing habits (like brushing your teeth), or find an accountability partner to practice with.

Challenge 3: “It’s not working fast enough” Remember that your current thought patterns have had years or decades to establish themselves. Be patient with the process and celebrate small shifts. Sometimes the changes are subtle at first.

Challenge 4: “Other people think I’m being unrealistic” You don’t need anyone else’s permission to see the world through a more positive lens. Your RAS training is your personal journey, and the results will speak for themselves. Some people will accuse you of being more of a “Pollyanna.” And to that, I say, “So what?” I choose to fill my heart and mind with love and joy. I’ve lived with a cynical brain, and let me tell you that I’m happier and much more productive today. I like the new me best of all! Don’t you want to love this version of you best?

Your RAS and Relationships

One of the most beautiful applications of RAS awareness is in your relationships. If you’re focused on all the ways your partner annoys you, your RAS will dutifully collect evidence of their annoying behaviors while filtering out their loving gestures.

But what happens when you intentionally look for evidence of their love, support, and positive qualities? Your RAS starts highlighting those instead, and often the relationship itself begins to improve as your energy and responses shift.

This works with family members, friends, colleagues, and even difficult people in your life. When you look for signs of someone’s humanity, growth, or positive intentions, you often find them—and they tend to rise to meet your expectations.

The Abundance Mindset Connection

Training your RAS is really about shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset, but in a very practical, neurological way. Instead of just thinking positively, you’re literally rewiring your brain’s attention system to notice the abundance that already exists.

This might mean noticing the kindness of strangers, the beauty in your everyday environment, the skills you’re developing, the support that’s available to you, or the opportunities that are presenting themselves.

When your RAS is tuned to abundance, you start living from a place of “there’s enough” instead of “there’s not enough.” This shift affects everything—how you show up in relationships, how you approach challenges, how you make decisions, and how you feel about your life overall.

Tuning Your Mind to Hear God’s Voice

For those of you who are worried about this being a little too woo-woo, it’s not. It’s science, and your brain is working exactly as God designed you to be. When you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, something powerful happens—you start to notice Him more.

Retraining your RAS is like adjusting the dial on a radio so you can hear God’s voice more clearly. The more you focus on His promises and the good things He’s doing, the more your mind will spot the little confirmations, blessings, and answers to prayer He’s sending your way. It’s not that God wasn’t speaking before—it’s that now, your heart and mind are tuned in to catch it. Think of it as stepping out in faith, or thanking God in advance.

Here’s one of my very favorite thoughts to practice, “I see miracles wherever I go.” Just try it for a month. You’ll be amazed.

Your RAS Revolution Starts Now

Here’s the truth, my friend: You already have everything you need to begin this transformation. Your RAS is ready and waiting to be lovingly guided in a new direction. It’s been serving you faithfully with its current programming, and it’s equally ready to serve you with upgraded programming.

The question isn’t whether this will work—it’s what you want to start noticing in your life. What aspects of your reality would you love to see more clearly? What beliefs about yourself and your life would feel most supportive to live from?

Start small. Pick one area where you’d love to see a shift. Maybe it’s appreciating your body, noticing signs of progress in your work, or recognizing the love that surrounds you. Choose one gentle, believable thought upgrade and begin feeding it to your RAS through repetition, attention, and celebration. Need help? This is where coaching shines! I’d love to work with you. Why not schedule a free connection call? Here’s the link.

Remember, you’re not trying to change reality—you’re changing your relationship with reality. And that, beautiful soul, changes everything.

Your brain is already filtering your experience every moment of every day. Now you get to consciously participate in that process, guiding your mental filter toward thoughts and beliefs that make life feel more abundant, joyful, and full of possibility.

The red cars were always there. The opportunities were always there. The love, the beauty, the support—it was all always there.

Now it’s time to train your RAS to help you see it.

Your abundant life is waiting to be noticed. Let’s help your beautiful brain catch up. ✨