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
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design.... Read More
Have you ever been caught up in a thought that... Read More
The other evening, I was meticulously assembling and painting one... Read More
As if choreographed and rehearsed the night before, one lays... Read More
WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More
Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
Whether it's the other kids making fun of you at... Read More
When someone thinks of a person with self-esteem most people... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
You wake up in the morning sleepy and fatigued; the... Read More
You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me... Read More
If we are the products of our attitudes then it... Read More
Many of us allow our fear to stop us in... Read More
We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
In speaking of comparison we need to be aware that... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
One of my class fellows was really tensed, when asked... Read More
You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More
Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them?... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
A rager, or rageaholic, is a person who is addicted... Read More
You got up today to go to work, to come... Read More
As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More
Hospital patient undergoing surgery recounts how Hero Soul provided strength,... Read More
Many people who suffer from low self-esteem would give anything... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More
The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More
What are you holding onto? Wanta quit?There are many things... Read More
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More
Do you wish you had high self-confidence? Some of us... Read More
Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More
With the probable exception of some basic instincts ? or... Read More
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |