With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate to discuss a defining characteristic of successful people that I've met worldwide. I've found that successful and joyous people are usually very skilled at counting their blessings. They focus on what's right about their life instead of what's wrong.
Why is this important?
It goes back to the incredibly simple but undeniably profound thought expressed in Earl Nightingale's great album The Strangest Secret. He said that "you become what you think about all day long." If you think about that, you'll realize it's true- the dominant thoughts that live in your mind will definitely manifest themselves in your life. Nightingale was certainly not the first or the only one to express this thought, either. It's been reflected in most of the great wisdom literature throughout the ages. The Book of Proverbs says "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." William James, the father of 20th century American psychology said that "if you change a person's thoughts you change their Life". There are countless quotes and examples that tell us the same thing- the things we dwell on mentally are what we attract into our lives. So when you learn to consciously focus on the things you are thankful for, you get more of them!
So how can we systematically direct our thoughts to these kinds of things? I've got three tips for you:
1) Write out a "gratitude list". Sit down with your family or some friends and simply create a list of things in life that you are thankful for. Don't rule anything out, big or small. Even if it seems silly, put it on the list. Just this simple act will do wonders for your attitude. It's a great Thanksgiving activity, plus you can look at it later for an immediate gratitude boost.
2) Watch your self talk. Your brain is talking to you 24/7, so monitor and exercise some influence over what it's saying. Especially first thing in the morning, when you tell yourself "This is gonna be a great day!" it has an immediate and profound effect on your mindset. If you need a little reminder, refer back to your gratitude list.
3) Do something nice for someone else. Abraham Lincoln said that "It is impossible to lift the burden of another without also lifting your own." So go out of your way to do someone a favor- even a small one. Send a card to a co- worker, open a door for a stranger, pay the highway toll for the lady behind you. Anything of that nature. The smile you get in return will remind you of the things that are great about people.
Above all, keep in mind what Thanksgiving is really all about- giving thanks. When you focus on the things you are thankful for, you attract more of them into your Life. Try it out, and?
Be Free!
Roger Seip
Roger Seip is a nationally known memory trainer. He has help thousands of students across the country improve their memory as well as study habits. His new program, The Student's Winning Edge - Memory Training, teaches students how to train their memory to study more effectively and get better grades. For more information on how your student can have a more Powerful memory visit http://www.memorytrainingforstudents.com or email http://www.memorytrainingforstudents.com
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareNot Amen, just so we're clear on that.AND.The little connector... Read More
Just in an average day we can experience many things... Read More
"Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
Who can control a smile sneaking across your face as... Read More
Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
Heard of a raindance? It is a ritual used by... Read More
You are already a winner, and so am I.Although you... Read More
I have had many confidence issues in my life, all... Read More
Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More
Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More
One of the first things that I work on with... Read More
Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build... Read More
During a Messenger chat session the other day, I asked... Read More
I encountered several interesting people that really taught me something.... Read More
Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson... Read More
The way to define your personality is to refine your... Read More
You know, very often, the manner in which a person... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life?... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More
The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More
Are you undergoing a major life change? Or merely trying... Read More
Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? Do you ever... Read More
As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More
I have had many confidence issues in my life, all... Read More
Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More
My story explains the struggles I had as a 23-year-old... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
Do you feel that your negative thoughts are holding you... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More
I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More
1. Smile2. Laugh3. Greet people courteously4. Be enthusiastic5. Dream. Engage... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
Have you ever noticed what can happen if you just... Read More
For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More
I encountered several interesting people that really taught me something.... Read More
Water is an important tool for magic rituals in many... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |