Positive Affirmation Tips, Advice and Hints
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Use Self Belief To Shape Your Own Destiny
Use Self Belief To Shape Your Own Destiny
by Elaine Currie
Of all the things that go towards shaping our destiny, it is our belief in our own abilities which has the greatest influence. Our level of self belief determines whether we succeed or fail to achieve our dreams and ambitions. As Henry Ford said "If you think you can, you're right. If you think you can't, you're right."
I was watching a program on the Biography Channel the other day which illustrated the truth of Henry Ford's words and highlighted the importance of self-belief. The subject of this program dropped out of the educational system without a degree, in fact, he quit school before he even reached college age and left school with woefully inadequate qualifications. The reason for this academic failure was a combination of dyslexia and general lack of interest in school work.
Sadly, the lack of academic achievement was accompanied by a complete lack of prowess on the sports field. To top it all off, as well as being a dunce and a sporting failure, the poor kid was not even good looking. He did not have rich parents to give him financial support . His parents were not business owners, so there was no chance of a career via nepotism. He had no obvious skills or talent, so a career as an artist or musician was not an option.
This sounded like the stereotypical beginning for a person who will at best survive by taking low-paid employment and, at worst, will drift into a life of crime as a way of snatching what he is incapable of earning. His school headmaster is credited with saying on his premature departure from the education system, ‘I feel sure you will either end up in prison or become a millionaire'. To entertain the idea that this person had any prospect of becoming a millionaire, you would have to know his character. We can only see the external disadvantages, the headmaster was aware of the strength of character and depth of self belief existing within this person. That self-belief more than made up for any lack of education and academic qualifications.
One thing the prospective jailbird/millionaire had was the ability to spot a niche for a new business. No, this is not a story of luck bringing an instant rags to riches transformation. Unfortunately his first two business ventures failed miserably. Did this set him on a path of serial business failures? Not at all, the failures probably taught him valuable lessons. He started the first business at the age of seven, so the chances of real success were pretty remote! The fact that he had sufficient self-belief to start his first business before he even reached his teenage years gives us a clue as to his character.
The condensed version of the rest of this biography is that the "hero" of the story built a successful business before he reached his twenties, was a millionaire by the age of 25 and was the owner of a Caribbean island before he was thirty. He did not stop working then, he went on from flamboyant success to even bigger flamboyant success, setting records and achieving the apparently impossible.
The subject of the TV program was Sir Richard Branson who is, at the time of writing, a billionaire several times over. He has attributed his success to hard work, belief in his business ventures and a willingness to take risks. These risks have included the well publicised (and life threatening) hot-air balloon journeys, starting a business on borrowed capital and taking risks in business where the potential losses were huge.
It is self-belief which made it possible to take those risks. Without belief in himself, Richard Branson would not have dared to borrow the money to start his first business as a magazine publisher after leaving school. Without self-belief the balloon challenges would not have been contemplated. Without self-belief the ambition to own an airline would have remained just a dream.
"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself". Those words were said by Muhammad Ali but they sum up the essence of what makes any person able to reach his goals in life. We must learn to sow and cultivate self-belief if we wish to achieve the harvest of our dreams.
For more articles about self morivation in business visit Elaine Currie's Work At Home Directory For more about writing visit the Writing Tips website. http://www.elainecurrie.com
Article Source: http://articles411.com
by Elaine Currie
Of all the things that go towards shaping our destiny, it is our belief in our own abilities which has the greatest influence. Our level of self belief determines whether we succeed or fail to achieve our dreams and ambitions. As Henry Ford said "If you think you can, you're right. If you think you can't, you're right."
I was watching a program on the Biography Channel the other day which illustrated the truth of Henry Ford's words and highlighted the importance of self-belief. The subject of this program dropped out of the educational system without a degree, in fact, he quit school before he even reached college age and left school with woefully inadequate qualifications. The reason for this academic failure was a combination of dyslexia and general lack of interest in school work.
Sadly, the lack of academic achievement was accompanied by a complete lack of prowess on the sports field. To top it all off, as well as being a dunce and a sporting failure, the poor kid was not even good looking. He did not have rich parents to give him financial support . His parents were not business owners, so there was no chance of a career via nepotism. He had no obvious skills or talent, so a career as an artist or musician was not an option.
This sounded like the stereotypical beginning for a person who will at best survive by taking low-paid employment and, at worst, will drift into a life of crime as a way of snatching what he is incapable of earning. His school headmaster is credited with saying on his premature departure from the education system, ‘I feel sure you will either end up in prison or become a millionaire'. To entertain the idea that this person had any prospect of becoming a millionaire, you would have to know his character. We can only see the external disadvantages, the headmaster was aware of the strength of character and depth of self belief existing within this person. That self-belief more than made up for any lack of education and academic qualifications.
One thing the prospective jailbird/millionaire had was the ability to spot a niche for a new business. No, this is not a story of luck bringing an instant rags to riches transformation. Unfortunately his first two business ventures failed miserably. Did this set him on a path of serial business failures? Not at all, the failures probably taught him valuable lessons. He started the first business at the age of seven, so the chances of real success were pretty remote! The fact that he had sufficient self-belief to start his first business before he even reached his teenage years gives us a clue as to his character.
The condensed version of the rest of this biography is that the "hero" of the story built a successful business before he reached his twenties, was a millionaire by the age of 25 and was the owner of a Caribbean island before he was thirty. He did not stop working then, he went on from flamboyant success to even bigger flamboyant success, setting records and achieving the apparently impossible.
The subject of the TV program was Sir Richard Branson who is, at the time of writing, a billionaire several times over. He has attributed his success to hard work, belief in his business ventures and a willingness to take risks. These risks have included the well publicised (and life threatening) hot-air balloon journeys, starting a business on borrowed capital and taking risks in business where the potential losses were huge.
It is self-belief which made it possible to take those risks. Without belief in himself, Richard Branson would not have dared to borrow the money to start his first business as a magazine publisher after leaving school. Without self-belief the balloon challenges would not have been contemplated. Without self-belief the ambition to own an airline would have remained just a dream.
"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself". Those words were said by Muhammad Ali but they sum up the essence of what makes any person able to reach his goals in life. We must learn to sow and cultivate self-belief if we wish to achieve the harvest of our dreams.
For more articles about self morivation in business visit Elaine Currie's Work At Home Directory For more about writing visit the Writing Tips website. http://www.elainecurrie.com
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Labels: Use Self Belief To Shape Your Own Destiny
Friday, November 17, 2006
The Power of Positive Thinking: Affirmations
The Power of Positive Thinking: Affirmations
by Helene Rothschild
Our thoughts are magnetic--they draw to us whatever we are thinking. Positive thinking creates positive results. Negative thoughts attract negative experiences and keep us stuck. Many of our fear-based beliefs came from decisions we made from our experiences.
For example, if you feel guilty about something you did, you may decide that you are bad and that you don't deserve to be prosperous. In order to move on in your life, and enjoy more love, health, and abundance, it is necessary to release negative self-defeating thoughts and replace them with positive ones. These are called affirmations.
You can easily change any negative thought into a positive one. Listen to your daily thoughts and conversations. Whenever you hear a negative one, say, "cancel" or imagine that you are erasing it. You can also imagine that you are burning it away with a laser beam or whatever image works for you. Then change it to a positive one. After awhile, you will begin to do it automatically.
You can also become aware of your negative thoughts by making a list of them. Write at the top of a piece of paper, I am afraid that ______ and fill in the blank with whatever negative thoughts come to mind. Choose one, and change it to a positive thought. Start with the word, "I," followed by your name and the new thought.
For example: The negative thought or fear, I am afraid that I don't deserve money, can be changed to, I, (your name), deserve an abundance of money. Since many of our thoughts come from comments we heard from others, it is helpful to also substitute, "You" and "She" for "I."
For example, You, (your name), deserve an abundance of money. And, She, (your name), deserves an abundance of money.
It is important to be honest with yourself and feel okay wherever you are in the moment. Therefore, if you are having difficulty accepting your affirmation, you can add some words to make it more believable.
Example: I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I deserve some money. After awhile, you are likely to change it to, I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I deserve an abundance of money. And finally to: I, (your name), deserve an abundance of money.
If you still don't believe the new affirmation, then write your negative thought on a piece of paper. Follow it by the word "because" and list the reasons.
For example, I, (your name), don't deserve some money because:
1. I stole a dollar from my father when I was a child.
2. I don't know how to handle money.
3. I am afraid it will make me greedy for more.
4. I'm worthless.
Now, on another piece of paper, write an affirmation for each negative belief.
Examples:
Number 1: I, (your name), forgive myself for taking a dollar from my father when I was a child.
Number 2: I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I know how to handle money.
Number 3: I, (your name), believe that I can have money and be generous.
Number 4: I, (your name), am a worthwhile person.
Now throw away the negative thoughts and say the positive ones.
If you're still not convinced, you can do the following exercise. Write your affirmation on the left hand side of a piece of paper, and your feelings on the right. Continue to do this until you are finally ready to accept your affirmation.
For example:
I, (your name), deserve money. No, I don't.
I, (your name), deserve money. No way!
I, (your name), deserve money. Why?
I, (your name), deserve money. Why not?
I, (your name), deserve money. Well, maybe.
I, (your name), deserve money. Well, maybe a little.
I, (your name), deserve money. Yes, I do deserve money.
If this doesn't help, and you find yourself getting increasingly more negative, you probably have to go a little deeper. Perhaps there is another negative thought underneath the one you've been working on.
For example, behind I don't deserve money, could be the belief that money is evil. A possible affirmation is: "I, (your name), am beginning to believe that money is one way I express caring to myself and others."
If you were not able to find any other negative thoughts, ask yourself what you're getting out of holding onto the belief, I don't deserve money. Chances are that you're staying safe. The affirmation can be: I, (your name), have an abundance of money and I am safe.
Here are several more suggestions when working with affirmations:
• Keep them short.
• Use only positive words. Instead of, "I am not bad," say I am good."
• Stay in the present. Avoid statements like, "I will" or "I hope to." Instead, say, "I am."
• Focus on only a few affirmations at a time.
• Say your affirmations several times with feeling (as if it is already happening in your life), record them on tape and play them back, or sing them out loud. Repetition is important, so review them often until they become part of your automatic thinking.
• Write an affirmation on a card and place it where you will see it often. For example: refrigerator door, bathroom mirror, bedside or desk.
When you choose to be conscious of what you are thinking and saying, remove negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, you will have the power to easily draw to you what you desire. You do deserve love, health, happiness and success in every area of your life. Go for it!
©2006 Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, MFT, is a Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor, speaker, and author. The article is excerpts from her new book, "ALL YOU NEED IS HART!” She offers phone sessions, teleclasses, books, e-books, MP3 audios, tapes, posters, independent studies, and a free newsletter. http://www.lovetopeace.com , 1-888-639-6390.
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Join
and receive a free copy of Laurie's Positive Affirmation Writer Software
by Helene Rothschild
Our thoughts are magnetic--they draw to us whatever we are thinking. Positive thinking creates positive results. Negative thoughts attract negative experiences and keep us stuck. Many of our fear-based beliefs came from decisions we made from our experiences.
For example, if you feel guilty about something you did, you may decide that you are bad and that you don't deserve to be prosperous. In order to move on in your life, and enjoy more love, health, and abundance, it is necessary to release negative self-defeating thoughts and replace them with positive ones. These are called affirmations.
You can easily change any negative thought into a positive one. Listen to your daily thoughts and conversations. Whenever you hear a negative one, say, "cancel" or imagine that you are erasing it. You can also imagine that you are burning it away with a laser beam or whatever image works for you. Then change it to a positive one. After awhile, you will begin to do it automatically.
You can also become aware of your negative thoughts by making a list of them. Write at the top of a piece of paper, I am afraid that ______ and fill in the blank with whatever negative thoughts come to mind. Choose one, and change it to a positive thought. Start with the word, "I," followed by your name and the new thought.
For example: The negative thought or fear, I am afraid that I don't deserve money, can be changed to, I, (your name), deserve an abundance of money. Since many of our thoughts come from comments we heard from others, it is helpful to also substitute, "You" and "She" for "I."
For example, You, (your name), deserve an abundance of money. And, She, (your name), deserves an abundance of money.
It is important to be honest with yourself and feel okay wherever you are in the moment. Therefore, if you are having difficulty accepting your affirmation, you can add some words to make it more believable.
Example: I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I deserve some money. After awhile, you are likely to change it to, I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I deserve an abundance of money. And finally to: I, (your name), deserve an abundance of money.
If you still don't believe the new affirmation, then write your negative thought on a piece of paper. Follow it by the word "because" and list the reasons.
For example, I, (your name), don't deserve some money because:
1. I stole a dollar from my father when I was a child.
2. I don't know how to handle money.
3. I am afraid it will make me greedy for more.
4. I'm worthless.
Now, on another piece of paper, write an affirmation for each negative belief.
Examples:
Number 1: I, (your name), forgive myself for taking a dollar from my father when I was a child.
Number 2: I, (your name), am beginning to believe that I know how to handle money.
Number 3: I, (your name), believe that I can have money and be generous.
Number 4: I, (your name), am a worthwhile person.
Now throw away the negative thoughts and say the positive ones.
If you're still not convinced, you can do the following exercise. Write your affirmation on the left hand side of a piece of paper, and your feelings on the right. Continue to do this until you are finally ready to accept your affirmation.
For example:
I, (your name), deserve money. No, I don't.
I, (your name), deserve money. No way!
I, (your name), deserve money. Why?
I, (your name), deserve money. Why not?
I, (your name), deserve money. Well, maybe.
I, (your name), deserve money. Well, maybe a little.
I, (your name), deserve money. Yes, I do deserve money.
If this doesn't help, and you find yourself getting increasingly more negative, you probably have to go a little deeper. Perhaps there is another negative thought underneath the one you've been working on.
For example, behind I don't deserve money, could be the belief that money is evil. A possible affirmation is: "I, (your name), am beginning to believe that money is one way I express caring to myself and others."
If you were not able to find any other negative thoughts, ask yourself what you're getting out of holding onto the belief, I don't deserve money. Chances are that you're staying safe. The affirmation can be: I, (your name), have an abundance of money and I am safe.
Here are several more suggestions when working with affirmations:
• Keep them short.
• Use only positive words. Instead of, "I am not bad," say I am good."
• Stay in the present. Avoid statements like, "I will" or "I hope to." Instead, say, "I am."
• Focus on only a few affirmations at a time.
• Say your affirmations several times with feeling (as if it is already happening in your life), record them on tape and play them back, or sing them out loud. Repetition is important, so review them often until they become part of your automatic thinking.
• Write an affirmation on a card and place it where you will see it often. For example: refrigerator door, bathroom mirror, bedside or desk.
When you choose to be conscious of what you are thinking and saying, remove negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, you will have the power to easily draw to you what you desire. You do deserve love, health, happiness and success in every area of your life. Go for it!
©2006 Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, MFT, is a Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor, speaker, and author. The article is excerpts from her new book, "ALL YOU NEED IS HART!” She offers phone sessions, teleclasses, books, e-books, MP3 audios, tapes, posters, independent studies, and a free newsletter. http://www.lovetopeace.com , 1-888-639-6390.
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Join
http://dailygratitudejournal.com/freegiveaway.html
and receive a free copy of Laurie's Positive Affirmation Writer Software
Monday, November 13, 2006
Is Gratitude Your Attitude?
Is Gratitude Your Attitude?
by Vanessa Bsirsky
Have you ever had a moment in your life when everything around you just seemed negative, hopeless, and doomed?
Of course you have, otherwise you wouldn't be human!
We all have encountered - and will continue to do so - situations and circumstances that just feel disheartening, overwhelming and maybe even paralyzing. In times like this, we might tend to ask ourselves one or even all of the following questions:
Why does this always happen to me? Why do things have to be so difficult? What's the point of me trying so hard when all I ever do seems to end up in a complete disaster?
If you have ever dwelled on any of the above - which you probably have - then I would like to encourage you to pause for a moment.
Think about it :
Did these questions encourage you to move toward a much more positive state of mind ? Or, and this is far more likely, did they simply make you feel sorry for yourself ?
Hmmm......
Also, do you truly believe that you are the only one who struggles ?
I mean, really?
If you do ,then I suggest that you wake up and stop taking yourself so seriously ! Every single person on this planet goes through difficult times , and life can be very tough for all of us.
But what could have happened if you had asked yourself a whole set of different questions when going through a challenging phase? Questions that would have been more empowering? For example:
What is the lesson to be learned from this situation? What is this really trying to show me ? How can I turn things around ? How can I stop this from happening ? And also, is there maybe a much deeper meaning to this that I don't yet understand?
I can assure you that the outcome would have been a lot more fruitful. Tony Robbins once said that life is like a game of Jeopardy - all the solutions and all the answers are already within you, you only need to ask the right questions. Aha...........interesting!
But let's delve a little bit deeper...
What did we focus on when we asked ourselves the first set of questions? That's right, on all the things that were wrong with our lives !
But hang on Vanessa, should we just ignore those bad feelings and live in a state of denial?
Of course not - allow yourself to feel the pain, acknowledge it , do everything in your power to heal it, and then clean up your act and move on.
How?
By implementing the lessons learned, and starting to focus on all the positive things in your life !
I can hear a few people complaining now, saying things like :
"What on earth is she talking about ? My life is bad ! Besides, I am single, I am broke, and I hate my job ! Why don't the council just do something ? Anyway, the world is full of criminals and terrorists ! How can anyone in their right mind be positive ? How can anyone bring children into this world ? These people have just lost the plot !"
Ouch!!
If that's you, then I would like to encourage you to re-think, and consider the following:
What have you got in your life that you could - and in my personal opinion should - be really grateful for? How about your health? And the fact that you got somewhere to live? The fact that you got food on your table on a daily basis? A lot of people haven't got that. How about the electricity and hot water that you have in your home?
You might think that electricity and hot water aren't anything special, and that you ought to have them anyway.
Why do you think that? Many people haven't got them and never will do.
How about your family ? Your friends, or even the one good and loyal friend that you have? Your pet, who loves you unconditionally ? Your eyesight , which enables you to read this blog at this very moment ? Your faith, your love, your generosity ? Your promising future, your furniture, your car, your job, your business, your ideas ? Your strength to overcome difficult times ? Your freedom?
Also, do you really have to go along with all the negative stuff ? And do you want to? Or could you be part of a different , more positive kind of evolution altogether ?
Hmmm....
Remember,it's your decision whether you want to fall asleep in front of the television every night, or whether you want to surround yourself with positive people and read empowering books. It's your decision whether you want to blame and complain, or whether you want to sit by a stream and meditate. Furthermore, it is not only your decision, it is also your responsibility.
But what do you mean by that? What does responsibility really stand for ? Responsibility is our ability to respond to life in a constructive, mature and positive manner.
Why not start and take some responsibility now ?
Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for, and review it from time to time. This will help you to completely shift your focus , and show you that the universe is actually supporting and nurturing you, rather than holding you back.
Whatever you are grateful for will grow in your life - guaranteed.
To check out more of my writing and read the 7-Day Happiness Report, go to my site www.happiness-secrets-revealed-online.com
Vanessa Bsirsky is a life coach and the author of the new book "Happiness Secrets Revealed."
Vanessa has got great leadership skills and is a natural motivator.She is particularly interested in creating abundance on all levels.
To read more and obtain your Free 7-Module Happiness Report please go to http://www.happiness-secrets-revealed-online.com
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Join
and receive a free copy of Laurie's Positive Affirmation Writer Software
by Vanessa Bsirsky
Have you ever had a moment in your life when everything around you just seemed negative, hopeless, and doomed?
Of course you have, otherwise you wouldn't be human!
We all have encountered - and will continue to do so - situations and circumstances that just feel disheartening, overwhelming and maybe even paralyzing. In times like this, we might tend to ask ourselves one or even all of the following questions:
Why does this always happen to me? Why do things have to be so difficult? What's the point of me trying so hard when all I ever do seems to end up in a complete disaster?
If you have ever dwelled on any of the above - which you probably have - then I would like to encourage you to pause for a moment.
Think about it :
Did these questions encourage you to move toward a much more positive state of mind ? Or, and this is far more likely, did they simply make you feel sorry for yourself ?
Hmmm......
Also, do you truly believe that you are the only one who struggles ?
I mean, really?
If you do ,then I suggest that you wake up and stop taking yourself so seriously ! Every single person on this planet goes through difficult times , and life can be very tough for all of us.
But what could have happened if you had asked yourself a whole set of different questions when going through a challenging phase? Questions that would have been more empowering? For example:
What is the lesson to be learned from this situation? What is this really trying to show me ? How can I turn things around ? How can I stop this from happening ? And also, is there maybe a much deeper meaning to this that I don't yet understand?
I can assure you that the outcome would have been a lot more fruitful. Tony Robbins once said that life is like a game of Jeopardy - all the solutions and all the answers are already within you, you only need to ask the right questions. Aha...........interesting!
But let's delve a little bit deeper...
What did we focus on when we asked ourselves the first set of questions? That's right, on all the things that were wrong with our lives !
But hang on Vanessa, should we just ignore those bad feelings and live in a state of denial?
Of course not - allow yourself to feel the pain, acknowledge it , do everything in your power to heal it, and then clean up your act and move on.
How?
By implementing the lessons learned, and starting to focus on all the positive things in your life !
I can hear a few people complaining now, saying things like :
"What on earth is she talking about ? My life is bad ! Besides, I am single, I am broke, and I hate my job ! Why don't the council just do something ? Anyway, the world is full of criminals and terrorists ! How can anyone in their right mind be positive ? How can anyone bring children into this world ? These people have just lost the plot !"
Ouch!!
If that's you, then I would like to encourage you to re-think, and consider the following:
What have you got in your life that you could - and in my personal opinion should - be really grateful for? How about your health? And the fact that you got somewhere to live? The fact that you got food on your table on a daily basis? A lot of people haven't got that. How about the electricity and hot water that you have in your home?
You might think that electricity and hot water aren't anything special, and that you ought to have them anyway.
Why do you think that? Many people haven't got them and never will do.
How about your family ? Your friends, or even the one good and loyal friend that you have? Your pet, who loves you unconditionally ? Your eyesight , which enables you to read this blog at this very moment ? Your faith, your love, your generosity ? Your promising future, your furniture, your car, your job, your business, your ideas ? Your strength to overcome difficult times ? Your freedom?
Also, do you really have to go along with all the negative stuff ? And do you want to? Or could you be part of a different , more positive kind of evolution altogether ?
Hmmm....
Remember,it's your decision whether you want to fall asleep in front of the television every night, or whether you want to surround yourself with positive people and read empowering books. It's your decision whether you want to blame and complain, or whether you want to sit by a stream and meditate. Furthermore, it is not only your decision, it is also your responsibility.
But what do you mean by that? What does responsibility really stand for ? Responsibility is our ability to respond to life in a constructive, mature and positive manner.
Why not start and take some responsibility now ?
Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for, and review it from time to time. This will help you to completely shift your focus , and show you that the universe is actually supporting and nurturing you, rather than holding you back.
Whatever you are grateful for will grow in your life - guaranteed.
To check out more of my writing and read the 7-Day Happiness Report, go to my site www.happiness-secrets-revealed-online.com
Vanessa Bsirsky is a life coach and the author of the new book "Happiness Secrets Revealed."
Vanessa has got great leadership skills and is a natural motivator.She is particularly interested in creating abundance on all levels.
To read more and obtain your Free 7-Module Happiness Report please go to http://www.happiness-secrets-revealed-online.com
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Join
http://dailygratitudejournal.com/freegiveaway.html
and receive a free copy of Laurie's Positive Affirmation Writer Software
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