Second rung: Reinvigorate your thinking. How you think is everything.

First rung:	Decide on your dreams and goals.
Second rung:	Reinvigorate your thinking. How you think is everything.
Third rung:	Expect to Win. Develop a plan for your success.
Fourth rung:	Action. Take action. Pursue your dream plan with courage and determination.
Fifth rung:	Measure your progress. Never, never, never give up.

Second rung: Reinvigorate your thinking.  How you think is everything.

Dr. Joseph Murphy in his book The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, wrote,

“Infinite riches are all around you if you open your mental eyes and behold the treasure house of infinity with in you.  There is a gold mine from which you can extract everything you need to live gloriously, joyously and abundantly.”

Another author John Milton wrote in Paradise Lost,

“For every individual, the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”

These words put into focus the critical nature of our thought processes.  Whether they are positive or negative, they become powerful, seeking fulfillment.  It is evident to me that 100% of our long term success and happiness is determined by how our mind processes the world around us.  If we say that 10% of life experience comes by the reality of circumstances and 90% by how we react to those events.  This does not mean that success can be brought forth by painting on a happy face, wishing away difficult challenges, or pretending that problems don’t exist.  This can only happen through individual strength of character, using directed, optimistic thinking to deliver ultimate results.  An attitude of not wishing it were easier but knowing we are better.  Not wishing for fewer problems but knowing we are capable of having the skills to solve the problems.  Not running away but knowing that we have the courage, determination and tenacity to go over, under and around any obstacles in our way.

Theologian and Philosopher, Eric Butterworth, in The Creative Life says people often express a desire for a positive mind set, but say,

“I don’t know how to change!”  His response is, “Of course you don’t, because problems cannot be solved with the same energy with which they were created.  No philosophy in the world can bring success to the person who is forever indulging his or her emotions with visions of inadequacy and limitation.  To be ambitious for prosperity, yet to feel poor, to desire healing and yet always feel weak and afflicted, is like trying to reach east by traveling west.  No matter how diligently you work, if you feel less than you desire yourself to be, that feeling is going to neutralize your efforts.”

In other words, you cannot consistently perform in a manner which is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.  The secret of achieving your dreams lies in vividly imagining them.  He continues saying that you must exude the reality of your dreams.  Those dreams must vibrate with reality in you.  Summarizing he hays,

“So if you wish to be prosperous, act prosperously, and even dress prosperously; you will draw to yourself prosperous conditions.”

Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser once said,

“It’s just as easy to see yourself successful as it is to see yourself as a failure, and far more interesting.”

We are visual creatures, and thus you are going to imagine yourself in some way, so why not imagine yourself as creative, positive, and good?

Developing a positive mind set is a continuous ongoing process.  Success or failure can be determined by these two key principles:

• The principles of developing a positive mind set are simple but difficult to follow.
• Any problem facing us is not as important as our attitude towards it.

No individual ever achieved success without experiencing challenges and defeats.  However, the ability to confront and overcome those obstacles was the determining factor in their success.

I would like to share with you a short paragraph, paraphrased and revised from many sources.  It is part of my daily affirmations.

We all have the potential within us to control our destiny.  The choices we make and actions we take every day determine whether or not we would be successful.  While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of these actions.  The key to realizing our dreams and aspirations is our ability to make and keep commitments and promises.  The commitments we make to ourselves and to others, and our integrity to fulfill those commitments is the essence to achieving our goals.

As we make and keep commitments, even small commitments, we begin to establish an inner integrity that gives us the awareness of self -control and the courage and strength to accept more of the responsibility for our own lives.  By making and keeping daily promises to ourselves and others, little by little, our honor becomes greater than our moods.  Once we attain this level then we have developed the ability to pick any task and bring it to fruition.

Let me leave you with this until next time:

The millionaire says to a thousand people,

“I read this book and it started me on the road

to wealth.”  Guess how many go out and get the

book?  Very few.  Most say, I’ve heard all this before.

Isn’t that incredible.  We call it a mystery of life.

Jim Rohn