In the history of belief management, one of the primary tools taught and used has been the simple affirmation. For those who aren't familiar with this term, an affirmation is a statement of what you'd like to experience, stated as though it were already true. An affirmative prayer is a series of affirmations involving a Divine Being. In some respects, using affirmations is pretending on a purely mental level.
In actual fact, everyone uses affirmations whether we realize it or not. Any time we make a statement, we are 'affirming' it'struth. In most cases, this is not pretending, but merely expressing a current belief. As mentioned earlier, we can listento what we say during a day to find out much of what we nowbelieve. Because what we say generally matches what we believe, our minds grow to associate one with the other. We can use this established relationship in reverse to reshape our beliefs. It's like how you can feel more energized and confident by standing upstraight and pulling your shoulders back. Normally, your postureresponds to your feelings, but you can change how you feel bychanging your posture. Your mind associates feelings and postureso that either one can control the other. The same is true with speech and beliefs. Your mind associates what you say with whatyou believe.You've probably heard the joke about the guy who told a lie so often he started to believe it himself. This demonstrates howour minds work. We learn by repetition. When we hear an idea expressed often enough, even one we initially know is false, we eventually reach a point of acceptance and start to wonder if the idea could be true.
When the idea is expressed further, we nolonger wonder if it might be true because we genuinely believe itto be true.The common practice of using affirmations starts by creating a statement of the desired results. Many of those who teach this technique will suggest that the affirmation must be stated inpresent tense and be phrased positively, as in "I will" ratherthan "I won't." The reasoning for this is based on scientific studies proving that our inner (subconscious) mind interpretseverything in present tense and reacts to everything stated,including those things preceded by the word 'not'. (As in "DoNOT think of a pink elephant wearing a lacy tutu.")While these guidelines do help, they are not absolutely necessary. I have seen many people successfully use affirmationssuch as "I won't get that job." and "I bet it's going to rain onour picnic tomorrow." Unfortunately, these affirmations are about experiences we'd rather avoid than attract. Either way, the reinforced beliefs produce results just as reliably as any other type of affirmation.
For those readers who have not come across this idea before, here are some examples of how affirmations should be phrased formaximum effectiveness:
* - I do well on tests. My mind relaxes and recalls easily the answers to all questions. I am proud of my results.
* - Money comes easily to me. I am a fountain of great ideas that produce abundant wealth. I am able to gain the cooperation of others where needed because they enjoy helping me succeed.
* - I am a NON-smoker. I breathe clean, fresh air. I am able to calm my nerves simply by setting an intention to do so. Like all non-smokers, I am more attractive than those who put disgusting cigarettes into their mouths.
As you can see, good affirmations state positive beliefs about what is desired, as if it is a current reality. The best affirmations state the desired result as if it happens on it's own without effort or attention. Emotion adds extra power. Once an affirmation is created, your job is to repeat it often toyourself, out loud if possible. The more you repeat your affirmation, the more you get used to the idea, and the more familiar an idea is, the easier it is to believe. Speaking your affirmation out loud adds the experience of hearing the words, giving the overall experience more dimension and greater substance. Writing the words on paper adds two extra dimensions- sight and physical movement. Each dimension added increases the affirmation's effect on your beliefs. Measure the strength of your belief before you begin with aquestion such as "Do I believe that I will _________?" (fillingin the blank with your current goal), and then ask the same question again after repeating your affirmation several times.You'll notice the strength of your belief will shift and change.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
TAKE YOURSELF TO THE TOP!
Everybody wants to get to the top, whether it is the top of a career, a company, the earnings scale, or the many other ways that we as individuals can define the “top” in our own lives! But with so many people trying to get to the top, how come so many people aren’t moving up? I think there are some fundamental reasons why. Reasons that can be addressed and changed!
What are some things you can do to get to the top?Here are some thoughts for you this week!
First of all, define what the “top” means for you.
This is extremely important because if you don’t know where you are going, you will never get there! Some people don’t want to be the CEO of the company. In fact, many think they are better off then the CEO even though they don’t make as much money. Instead, they think they are at the top because of less stress, weekends with their families, etc, and I see their point. It doesn’t matter what others think is the top, only what you do, since you are only gauging whether or not YOU get there! So where is it for you? That is the first question for you to answer.
Be passionate about your goal.
Passion is the energy that drives us, or, as Alexander Pope said, passions are the “gales of life.” Passion is the wind in the sales of work. Find some thing you love and you will find something you can get to the top of. If you don’t love it, you may still make it to the top, though highly unlikely. And even if you do, there will be no joy. Let your passion carry you, because it will carry you far! Thomas Fuller put it this way: A man with passion rides a horse that runs away with him.
The will to continue in the face of hardship.
Another reason most will not get to the top is because they simply refuse to scale the mountains of hardship that separate them from the top. If you want to get to the beautiful view from the top, you will have to climb over any obstacles. Instead, many choose to stay at base camp!
One would think that Bjorn Borg, one of the greatest tennis players to ever live, would consider his skill his greatest asset. Instead, this is what he says, "My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories."
Continue until you get to the top!
Love people and treat them right.
What? Love people? That’s right! Why? Because if you are going to get to the top, you are going to need other people. Be a jerk and you will find people dragging their feet on you. Treat them right and you will find them helping you and even cheering you on!
Master the appropriate skills.
Average skills will get you to the middle. Top skills will get you to the TOP! This is most assuredly true when combined with the points above. Are you achieving excellence in the skills you need? Are you growing day by day, month by month, year by year? You can always get better and getting better will take you closer to the top! Even if you only improve a little, you can keep improving that small amount and it will eventually become a big amount! Demand the best from yourself and you will get to the top. Remember the words of Jose Ortega y Gasset: "We distinguish the excellent man from the common man by saying that the former is the one who makes great demands on himself, and the latter who makes no demands on himself."
-Define the Top
-Be Passionate
-Persevere
-Love others
-Skill Mastery!
These will take you to the top!
What are some things you can do to get to the top?Here are some thoughts for you this week!
First of all, define what the “top” means for you.
This is extremely important because if you don’t know where you are going, you will never get there! Some people don’t want to be the CEO of the company. In fact, many think they are better off then the CEO even though they don’t make as much money. Instead, they think they are at the top because of less stress, weekends with their families, etc, and I see their point. It doesn’t matter what others think is the top, only what you do, since you are only gauging whether or not YOU get there! So where is it for you? That is the first question for you to answer.
Be passionate about your goal.
Passion is the energy that drives us, or, as Alexander Pope said, passions are the “gales of life.” Passion is the wind in the sales of work. Find some thing you love and you will find something you can get to the top of. If you don’t love it, you may still make it to the top, though highly unlikely. And even if you do, there will be no joy. Let your passion carry you, because it will carry you far! Thomas Fuller put it this way: A man with passion rides a horse that runs away with him.
The will to continue in the face of hardship.
Another reason most will not get to the top is because they simply refuse to scale the mountains of hardship that separate them from the top. If you want to get to the beautiful view from the top, you will have to climb over any obstacles. Instead, many choose to stay at base camp!
One would think that Bjorn Borg, one of the greatest tennis players to ever live, would consider his skill his greatest asset. Instead, this is what he says, "My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories."
Continue until you get to the top!
Love people and treat them right.
What? Love people? That’s right! Why? Because if you are going to get to the top, you are going to need other people. Be a jerk and you will find people dragging their feet on you. Treat them right and you will find them helping you and even cheering you on!
Master the appropriate skills.
Average skills will get you to the middle. Top skills will get you to the TOP! This is most assuredly true when combined with the points above. Are you achieving excellence in the skills you need? Are you growing day by day, month by month, year by year? You can always get better and getting better will take you closer to the top! Even if you only improve a little, you can keep improving that small amount and it will eventually become a big amount! Demand the best from yourself and you will get to the top. Remember the words of Jose Ortega y Gasset: "We distinguish the excellent man from the common man by saying that the former is the one who makes great demands on himself, and the latter who makes no demands on himself."
-Define the Top
-Be Passionate
-Persevere
-Love others
-Skill Mastery!
These will take you to the top!
Friday, October 3, 2008
SETTING YOUR GOALS
I have found that they all have one thing in common. They have taken the time to sit down and create a clear blueprint for themselves and their future lives. Even if they started the process of goal setting and personal strategic planning with a little skepticism, every one of them has become a true believer.Becoming a True BelieverEvery one of them has been amazed at the incredible power of goal setting and strategic planning. Every one of them has accomplished far more than they ever believed possible in selling and they ascribe their success to the deliberate process of thinking through every aspect of their work and their lives, and then developing a detailed, written road map to get them to where they wanted to go.
The Definition of Happiness
Happiness has been defined as, "The progressive achievement of a worthy ideal, or goal." When you are working progressively, step-by-step toward something that is important to you, you generate within yourself a continuous feeling of success and achievement.You feel more positive and motivated. You feel more in control of your own life. You feel happier and more fulfilled. You feel like a winner, and you soon develop the psychological momentum that enables you to overcome obstacles and plough through adversity as you move toward achieving the goals that are most important to you.
Determine Your Values
Personal strategic planning begins with your determining what it is you believe in and stand for-your values. Your values lie at the very core of everything you are as a human being. Your values are the unifying principles and core beliefs of your personality and your character. The virtues and qualities that you stand for are what constitute the person you have become from the beginning of your life to this moment. Your values, virtues and inner beliefs are the axle around which the wheel of your life turns. All improvement in your life begins with you clarifying your true values and then committing yourself to live consistent with them.
Fuzzy or Clear?
Successful people are successful because they are very clear about their values. Unsuccessful people are fuzzy or unsure. Complete failures have no real values at all.
Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Values clarification is the beginning exercise in building self-confidence, self-esteem and personal character. When you take the time to think through your fundamental values, and then commit yourself to living your life consistent with them, you feel a surge of mental strength and well-being. You feel stronger and more capable. You feel more centered in the universe and more competent of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, decide for yourself what makes you truly happy and then organize your life around it. Write down your goals and make plans to achieve them.
Second, begin with your values by deciding what it is you stand for and believe in. Commit yourself to live consistent with your inner most convictions - and you'll never make another mistake.
The Definition of Happiness
Happiness has been defined as, "The progressive achievement of a worthy ideal, or goal." When you are working progressively, step-by-step toward something that is important to you, you generate within yourself a continuous feeling of success and achievement.You feel more positive and motivated. You feel more in control of your own life. You feel happier and more fulfilled. You feel like a winner, and you soon develop the psychological momentum that enables you to overcome obstacles and plough through adversity as you move toward achieving the goals that are most important to you.
Determine Your Values
Personal strategic planning begins with your determining what it is you believe in and stand for-your values. Your values lie at the very core of everything you are as a human being. Your values are the unifying principles and core beliefs of your personality and your character. The virtues and qualities that you stand for are what constitute the person you have become from the beginning of your life to this moment. Your values, virtues and inner beliefs are the axle around which the wheel of your life turns. All improvement in your life begins with you clarifying your true values and then committing yourself to live consistent with them.
Fuzzy or Clear?
Successful people are successful because they are very clear about their values. Unsuccessful people are fuzzy or unsure. Complete failures have no real values at all.
Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Values clarification is the beginning exercise in building self-confidence, self-esteem and personal character. When you take the time to think through your fundamental values, and then commit yourself to living your life consistent with them, you feel a surge of mental strength and well-being. You feel stronger and more capable. You feel more centered in the universe and more competent of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, decide for yourself what makes you truly happy and then organize your life around it. Write down your goals and make plans to achieve them.
Second, begin with your values by deciding what it is you stand for and believe in. Commit yourself to live consistent with your inner most convictions - and you'll never make another mistake.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
CREATIVE PRETENDING
We can make creative day dreaming more effective for changing beliefs when we bring the day dream into the real world and act it out. This makes a stronger impression on our inner mind and thus builds a stronger belief. It's also more fun!
Every animal species on this planet has inborn instincts leading them to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Squirrels have an instinct to bury nuts in the Fall in preparation for Winter. Birds have an instinct to build nests in which to lay eggs. Salmon and penguins have an instinct to return to their place of birth to produce the next generation. Humans have an instinct to pretend to be something we would like to become. As children, we had a natural tendency to pretend. We imitated those people and characters we admired. We imagined what it would be like to live as they lived, testing our own boundaries and limitations to see if we could push past them and become something more than we were.
But somewhere along the way, most of us stopped. We were taught that pretending was just for kids, and that it didn't have any real value in life. Because we trusted those who gave us this information, we accepted their belief and gave up that part of ourselves. I would like you to give yourself permission to embrace your natural instincts. This may, at first, feel alien to you from the many years of neglect, but will give you more control over your own beliefs. As you do this, you will find yourself enjoying life more and getting the things you truly desire.
There are many different ways we can use the process of pretending to change what we believe. Some people write checks to themselves for $1 million to pretend they are receiving great wealth. Other people carry around a date book filled with names and phone numbers to pretend they are the most popular person around. Many people pretend they are driving a new super sports-car instead of the clunky beater they'd prefer to leave behind. Still others dress up in costume and recite 'magical' poems pretending the words will cause spiritual forces to make changes for them. All these forms of pretending are good in that they help us believe in something we previously could not.
As in all processes designed to create change in the world around us, as long as we believe in the process, it will work for us. This is true regardless of the process used, including the traditional processes that 'logically' lead to wealth, relationships, health, and so on. Traditional processes such as running a business, investing, dating, charm, prescription drugs, and eating right are only as effective as the beliefs supporting them. We know this because so many people fail even when using such traditional processes.You can improvise any game of pretend that makes sense in your situation. The more you can 'make it real', the better it will work for you.
Every animal species on this planet has inborn instincts leading them to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Squirrels have an instinct to bury nuts in the Fall in preparation for Winter. Birds have an instinct to build nests in which to lay eggs. Salmon and penguins have an instinct to return to their place of birth to produce the next generation. Humans have an instinct to pretend to be something we would like to become. As children, we had a natural tendency to pretend. We imitated those people and characters we admired. We imagined what it would be like to live as they lived, testing our own boundaries and limitations to see if we could push past them and become something more than we were.
But somewhere along the way, most of us stopped. We were taught that pretending was just for kids, and that it didn't have any real value in life. Because we trusted those who gave us this information, we accepted their belief and gave up that part of ourselves. I would like you to give yourself permission to embrace your natural instincts. This may, at first, feel alien to you from the many years of neglect, but will give you more control over your own beliefs. As you do this, you will find yourself enjoying life more and getting the things you truly desire.
There are many different ways we can use the process of pretending to change what we believe. Some people write checks to themselves for $1 million to pretend they are receiving great wealth. Other people carry around a date book filled with names and phone numbers to pretend they are the most popular person around. Many people pretend they are driving a new super sports-car instead of the clunky beater they'd prefer to leave behind. Still others dress up in costume and recite 'magical' poems pretending the words will cause spiritual forces to make changes for them. All these forms of pretending are good in that they help us believe in something we previously could not.
As in all processes designed to create change in the world around us, as long as we believe in the process, it will work for us. This is true regardless of the process used, including the traditional processes that 'logically' lead to wealth, relationships, health, and so on. Traditional processes such as running a business, investing, dating, charm, prescription drugs, and eating right are only as effective as the beliefs supporting them. We know this because so many people fail even when using such traditional processes.You can improvise any game of pretend that makes sense in your situation. The more you can 'make it real', the better it will work for you.
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