The Battle for Your Mind

In 1981, Jack Trout and Al Ries caused a sensation with their book, Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind. This book was so revolutionary, in part, because it provided practical insights into the modern world and how ideas are shaped.

They argued that “we have become the world’s first over-communicated society,” with more messages sent every year. But the result is that we tend to “receive less.” With so much information being distributed, studies revealed that the average mind cannot deal with this volume of material. As a result, people tend to simplify information by ranking products and ideas “to keep from being overwhelmed” by life’s complexities.

Trout and Ries likened this process to a “series of ladders in the mind.” The key for businesses, politicians, and everyone else, is to occupy “the top rung.” Those further down the ladder are less likely to have impact or be remembered.

If anything, these tendencies have accelerated, as even more messages are bombarding our minds every day. In the process, we need to realize that there is a battle going on for our minds. Every day, each of us is being assaulted with ideas and thoughts from the media, work, friends, and family. Unless we are careful, we can allow these forces to shape how we think.

Who is influencing your thoughts right now? Remember: The devil wants to dominate your mind. Businesses want you to think about their products. Politicians and authors want to shape your thoughts.

But you have choices. You don’t have to allow these forces to rule your life. Instead, fill your mind with God’s Word. Think about His promises, and declare every promise to be true. With His help, you can have victory!