--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I find that my cultural conditioning…" description: "\"I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. I developed NVC as a way to train my..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_attention_i-find-that-my-cultural-conditioning-lea_2716541.jpg" --- # I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus… ![“I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. I developed NVC as a way to train my attention-to shine the light of consciousness-on places that have the potential to yield what I am seeking.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_attention_i-find-that-my-cultural-conditioning-lea_2716541.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_attention_i-find-that-my-cultural-conditioning-lea_2716541.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_attention_i-find-that-my-cultural-conditioning-lea_2716541.jpg) > “I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. I developed NVC as a way to train my attention-to shine the light of consciousness-on places that have the potential to yield what I am seeking.” [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our learned biases direct focus to unproductive places; conscious attention can be retrained toward fruitful opportunities. **In simple terms:** Shift focus from limiting beliefs to productive possibilities. Key Takeaway Redirect attention to constructive outcomes. Themes self‑awareness communication growth Mood reflective motivational practical Type self‑help psychology When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal development - coaching sessions Key Concepts nonviolent communication attention training mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What unproductive patterns dominate your attention? - How can you practice conscious redirection? A Different Perspective Changing focus may be challenging without sustained practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conditioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditioning/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Nonviolent communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent-communication/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) ## Related quotes > [Let’s shine the light of consciousness on places where we can hope to find what we are seeking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/let-s-shine-the-light-of-consciousness-on-places-where-we-can-hope-to/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [If you do a practice and train your attention to hover in the present, then you will build the internal capacity to do that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/if-you-do-a-practice-and-train-your-attention-to-hover-in-the-present/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [The lucid dream, located as it is at a crossroads between worlds and states of consciousness, places the magician in a unique position to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/the-lucid-dream-located-as-it-is-at-a-crossroads-between-worlds-and/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Being considered "crazy" by those who are still victims of cultural conditioning is a compliment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-hairston/being-considered-crazy-by-those-who-are-still-victims-of-cultural/) Jason Hairston > [The spirit of the West, of America, is different than the East. The cultural conditioning is very different. It seems to be harder for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-spirit-of-the-west-of-america-is-different-than-the-east-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It doesn't matter what your cultural conditioning is, it falls into question under the influence of the psychedelic. And for most people that's frightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/it-doesn-t-matter-what-your-cultural-conditioning-is-it-falls-into/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Cultural conditioning is like bad software. Over and over it's diddled with and re-written so that it can just run on the next attempt.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/cultural-conditioning-is-like-bad-software-over-and-over-it-s-diddled/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [To the non-initiate, whose experience of sexuality and bodily pleasure may be distorted by negative cultural conditioning, the introduction of sexuality into a sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/to-the-non-initiate-whose-experience-of-sexuality-and-bodily-pleasure/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [NVC is a reminder; to focus our attention where we are most likely to get our needs met.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-is-a-reminder-to-focus-our-attention-where-we-are-most-likely-to/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-anderson/only-one-thing-has-to-change-for-us-to-know-happiness-in-our-lives/) [Greg Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-anderson/) > [Painters have always needed a sort of veil upon which they can focus their attention. It's as though the more fully the consciousness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-riley/painters-have-always-needed-a-sort-of-veil-upon-which-they-can-focus/) [Bridget Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-riley/) > [One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/one-of-the-most-effective-ways-to-overcome-anxiety-is-to-try-to-shift/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When exercising, be sure to focus your attention on what you are doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-haney/when-exercising-be-sure-to-focus-your-attention-on-what-you-are-doing/) [Lee Haney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-haney/) > [“Plenty of information leads to scarcity of attention. When people are overwhelmed with the volume of information confronting them, it is hard to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-nye/plenty-of-information-leads-to-scarcity-of-attention-when-people-are/) [Joseph Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-nye/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) ## More by Marshall B. Rosenberg > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/understanding-the-other-persons-needs-does-not-mean-you-have-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Plans to exact retribution are never going to make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/plans-to-exact-retribution-are-never-going-to-make-us-safer/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [What I want in my life is compassion a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/what-i-want-in-my-life-is-compassion-a-flow-between-myself-and-others/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/analyses-of-others-are-actually-expressions-of-our-own-needs-and/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Staying with empathy we allow speakers to touch deeper levels of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/staying-with-empathy-we-allow-speakers-to-touch-deeper-levels-of/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Punishment is the root of violence on our planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/punishment-is-the-root-of-violence-on-our-planet/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/often-instead-of-offering-empathy-we-have-a-strong-urge-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-is-founded-on-language-and-communication-skills-that-strengthen/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Ask before offering advice or reassurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/ask-before-offering-advice-or-reassurance/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [If you think ahead to what to say next - like how to fix it or make the person feel better - BOOM! Off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/if-you-think-ahead-to-what-to-say-next-like-how-to-fix-it-or-make-the/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Two questions help us see why we are unlikely to get what we want by using punishment... The first question is: What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/two-questions-help-us-see-why-we-are-unlikely-to-get-what-we-want-by/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Praise and reward create a system of extrinsic motivations for behavior. Children (and adults) end up taking action in order to receive the praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/praise-and-reward-create-a-system-of-extrinsic-motivations-for/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Everything we do is in service of our needs. When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/everything-we-do-is-in-service-of-our-needs-when-this-one-concept-is/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) [Explore all 283 Marshall B. Rosenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. 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