Oct 5, 2007

The Power of Positive Thinking

Valerie J. Steimle

Over the past few months, I’ve been trying to find more ways to write for more income. I kept asking myself: Which avenue should I follow? Where should I submit? Who should I write for? It was a challenge. So as I searched around for more places to contribute, I read about financial successes from financial consultants and thought about what I could do to improve upon my situation.

This is what I have learned: Think about what you would like to accomplish over the next few years. What is it that you want to do in your life that you can enjoy and be successful? After considering this in your mind, then come up with a sentence you can remember and repeat in your mind. For example, since I have wanted to find more writing jobs and become a fulltime writer, I came up with this sentence: “My writing will bring me more income.” I thought about this every day since and continue to repeat it in my mind. I put it on the mirror in my bathroom. I read it in my morning pages I try to write everyday. It has brought great results. I now have an editorial column in the local paper each week called “Thoughts From the Heart.” Not only has it helped me find more writing work, it has had a positive affect on my outlook on life. I’m happier trying to find more writing work and feel more fulfilled.

Another suggestion was to write 21 reasons why you want to do whatever it is you decide to do. It was difficult to think of that many and I only came up with seven reasons to write but they were all good reasons. I add to the list as I think of them. This list should be posted in a place where you can read it every day to remind yourself of your purpose.

It was amazing to me how you can think about something in your mind for so long and have it affect you in such a positive way. I suppose by the same token you can do that with negative thoughts as well. That’s why we should focus on the positive. We have always been told to focus on the positive from counselors and therapists but I don’t think I believed it. I know I didn’t believe it until I tried it myself. Positive thinking really does have a positive affect on thinking positively.

So the first order of the day when you get up in the morning is to think positive thoughts about what you need to accomplish each day. Make a list if that is possible. If you are fighting depression--which many people do-- and you don’t want to have positive thoughts then pray to have them. Even if it’s just one. You can build on that and feel better about what you do.

The world is such a hard place to live, as past blog entries have suggested, but we can rise above all that and make our own little world a positive place. Kind of like Peter Pan’s idea. Think positive (happy) thoughts.

7 comments:

  1. Years ago, I got suckered into trying one of those hypnotis treatments. The deciding factor was an article I read about a young woman struggling with school. Her mom had her repeat 10 times each night when she fell asleep and each morning first thing the words: I can learn anything. It worked or so the article said. Positive feedback is crucial to our advancement. Thanks for putting it in a writing context.

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  2. Years ago, I got suckered into trying one of those hypnotis treatments. The deciding factor was an article I read about a young woman struggling with school. Her mom had her repeat 10 times each night when she fell asleep and each morning first thing the words: I can learn anything. It worked or so the article said. Positive feedback is crucial to our advancement. Thanks for putting it in a writing context.

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  3. I agree with you Valerie. I have come to realize that this applies to everything we put into our mind and is the reason we must be so careful about the things we watch and read.

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  4. Great post, Valerie, wlith great advice! I've been trying to work hard on improving my "positive thinking", but your comments remind me that I need to do more, and continue to be persistent.

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  5. Great idea about the 21 things. And nice reminders of positive thinking.

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  6. Yes siree, there's nothing quite like a positive approach to things. I truly believe that has been the key to my easy life. I've enjoyed things which, to my surprise, devastate some others in appearantly the same boat. I even enjoyed practically pain-free childbirths.

    Nevertheless, sometimes of late, positive thinking gets me involved in too many things at a time, and as positively as I think I can do almost any job in the same amount of time it took me ten or twenty years ago, my body refuses to live up to my expectations. I make out a list of things to do that should be easily obtainable, attack with gusto, only to find myself missing each hour's goals by enough that at the end of the day I (with as much positive feeling as I can muster) count it successful if I've crossed off, as finished, half the items listed.

    What do you suggest? That I work more efficiently? or lower my expectations? Or just keep on bungling along?

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  7. Probably lower you expectation, Anna. LOL. That is the problem with getting older. You probably do just fine.

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