Power Thinking

It's an amazing phenomenon: Your thoughts determine your every action and emotion.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the implications of that statement.

While driving in your car, someone cuts you off and abruptly steps on the brakes.  You have the option to cuss, swerve, use foul gestures and emit any number of negative emotions and actions.  You have the option of being angry and dwelling on the evils that person is spreading.

Or you can say to yourself, "I am calm, cool and collected."  "I am in control."  "I am responsible."

Responding to negative stimuli with anger, frustration and negative emotions will produce further consequences for your body.  Your muscles will tense.  You might get slightly nauseated.  You might start sweating and your voice might get shaky.

Responding with a positive, self-responsible thoughts will produce calming and strengthening effects on your body.  You will feel in control and relaxed.

At work you can choose to belittle your coworkers for not meeting your expectations for timeliness or production value.  You can choose to pass negative rumors and complaints about your boss and the company you work for.  Doing these things will make you less productive, less likable and less likely to succeed.

The other option is to tell yourself that you are exceeding the expectations of others, that you are in control and that you are responsible for your own success.  Taking this path, you will succeed, be in control of your destiny and will surpass the expectations of others.

Positive thinking not only effects our internal happiness, but it also effects the way in which other people see us.  Positive people are more likable, are more likely to succeed by fostering positive relationships and are more likely to be promoted or rewarded for their achievements.

If you make just one change in 2009, let it be that you convert your internal, self-talk from negative to extremely positive.  Doing this will subconsciously tell your body and your peers that you are in control and responsible for yourself.