Have you ever bought a new car and suddenly started noticing the same model everywhere? Or learned a new word and then heard it several times that same week? If you’ve ever wondered what the Reticular Activating System is, this is it in action. The RAS is a powerful filter in your brain that decides what information becomes important and what gets ignored — and it has a huge impact on your mindset, focus, and goals.

Most people have never heard of it, yet it influences how you think, what you notice, the opportunities you see, and even the goals you achieve. Understanding how the RAS works can completely change the way you approach personal growth. To explore how clarity and structure enhance your mindset, read Goal Setting Journal — a guide to aligning your focus with what truly matters.

So… what is the Reticular Activating System?

The RAS is a small network of nerves located in your brainstem. Its job is simple but powerful:

1. It filters information
2. It decides what’s important
3. It controls what gets your attention

Your brain receives millions of pieces of information every second. If you consciously processed all of it, you would be overwhelmed within minutes. So the RAS acts like a gatekeeper — letting in what matters and ignoring what doesn’t.

Your RAS listens to your beliefs, thoughts, and focus

Here’s the fascinating part:

Your RAS prioritizes information that confirms what you already believe or what you repeatedly think about.

For example:

• If you believe people are kind, you notice kindness more often.
• If you believe life is unfair, your brain highlights unfair events.
• If you expect success, your RAS hunts for opportunities.
• If you expect failure, your RAS brings up reasons to quit.

In other words:

Your mind finds evidence for what you focus on.

This is why mindset is not just motivational talk — it’s biology. Strengthen your focus and beliefs intentionally with I AM Affirmations for Abundance and Success — practical statements that train your RAS to expect growth instead of limitation.

The RAS and goal-setting: Your brain needs instructions

When you write down a goal, visualize it, or repeat an affirmation, you are giving your RAS a signal:

“This is important. Look for opportunities related to this.”

That’s why writing goals daily — not once a year — makes such a difference.

You train your RAS to scan the world for solutions, people, chances, ideas, and next steps.

Without a clear focus, the RAS doesn’t know what to prioritize — so your attention gets pulled everywhere. To learn how to give your mind clearer direction through journaling, visit Writing Down Your Intentions.

With a clear focus, life starts to feel aligned.

You meet people at the right moment.

You notice new possibilities.

You understand what actions matter.

It’s not magic — it’s your brain filtering your reality.

Real-life examples you’ve probably experienced

You think about starting a business → suddenly you notice entrepreneurs everywhere

You want to get healthier → you begin spotting meal prep tips and fitness ideas

You are considering moving → locations, houses, and conversations start popping up

Nothing “new” happened — your brain just started paying attention.

How journaling trains your RAS

This is where journaling becomes a powerful tool. Learn how structured reflection enhances focus and awareness in Evening Journaling Routine.

When you write your:

1. goals
2. affirmations
3. gratitude
4. intentions

…you are programming your brain to focus on what you want — not what you fear.

Daily repetition sends a clear message:

“Show me more of this.”

This is exactly why the iAmEvolving Journal has daily sections for goals, gratitude, habits, and inner reflection.

You are not just writing — you are reshaping the way your brain filters reality.

How the RAS impacts your emotions

Your RAS doesn’t only filter information — it filters meaning.

If you constantly think:

• “I never succeed,”
• “Life is hard,”
• “Nothing ever works out,”

…your RAS highlights anything that proves you right.

But when you shift your internal language to:

• “I am learning,”
• “My efforts matter,”
• “My opportunities are growing,”

…your brain begins scanning for evidence of growth instead of failure.

Your inner world changes your outer experience. Discover how awareness and gratitude can shift your emotional state in Journaling for Emotional Clarity.

How to activate your RAS intentionally

Here are simple daily practices that condition your RAS toward success and clarity. You can pair these with Best Personal Development Journals to stay consistent and motivated.

1. Write your goals daily

Don’t just set yearly goals — remind your brain every day.

This is why successful people rewrite the same goals again and again.

2. Visualize your future

Your RAS responds to imagery.

If you mentally rehearse success, confidence, or achievement, your RAS treats it as familiar — and works to make it real.

3. Practice gratitude

Gratitude shifts the RAS toward noticing what is already good, already working, and already improving.

This gets you out of survival mode and into creation mode.

4. Use I AM affirmations

“I AM confident.”

“I AM becoming better every day.”

“I AM capable of achieving my goals.”

Repeating and writing affirmations is not just motivational — it rewires filters in your brain. For a structured daily way to use them, explore Morning Journaling Routine.

5. Track your small wins

The more your RAS sees progress, the more momentum it builds.

Why the RAS explains why negative thinking feels so real

If you focus on fear, scarcity, or doubt — the RAS starts showing you proof to match.

• “Nobody supports me.” → Brain highlights rejection
• “There are no opportunities.” → Brain ignores possibilities
• “I will fail.” → Brain collects evidence that agrees

You’re not broken — your brain is following instructions.

How the RAS makes journaling more powerful than thinking

Thinking is messy and inconsistent.

Journaling is clear and structured.

That clarity tells your RAS:

• what to focus on
• where you are heading
• what matters right now

Every time you write your goals and visualize them, you strengthen the filter that pulls success closer.

The RAS explains why the iAmEvolving Journal works

Inside the iAmEvolving Journal, the daily repetition is intentional:

• Write your goal → RAS learns your direction
• Express daily gratitude → RAS notices what’s good
• Track your habits → RAS looks for progress
• Inner reflection → RAS helps you grow through awareness

This is why small daily writing creates big long-term change.

You are training your brain to think like your future self.

Final thoughts

You are not winning by luck.

You are not failing because life hates you.

Your brain is obeying your focus.

Once you understand the Reticular Activating System, everything changes.

Your goals feel more reachable, your attention sharpens, and the right opportunities begin to appear at the right time.

You don’t need to force results — you need to train your focus.

FAQ

Can anyone “train” the RAS, or is it automatic?

Anyone can train it. Your RAS simply follows whatever you repeat — thoughts, images, beliefs, or goals.

How long does it take to see changes?

Some people notice a shift in a few days. For deeper habits, a few weeks of consistent journaling is enough to feel a real difference.

Does the RAS work for both positive and negative thinking?

Yes — it doesn’t moralize. It highlights what your mind repeats, whether helpful or harmful.

Do affirmations really affect the RAS?

Yes. Repetition tells your brain, “This is important — look for it.” That’s why affirmations aligned with action are powerful.

How can I use the RAS if I feel stuck in life?

Start small:

Write one clear goal daily
Practice gratitude
Track small wins
Visualize success
Momentum will return.