What we think about becomes our reality but often we sabotage our thinking by the choice of words we choose. Unfortunately, most of the time this is done on a subconscious level. We need to become aware of our thoughts as this is critical but it dawned on me that that thoughts and words go hand-in-hand. First you think it, and then you say it. But, sometimes it is more like, first you say it and then you think it. Hmmm. Certainly I’m not the only one that has done that, right?
Our choice of vocabulary, conscious or unconscious, plays a major role in our lives. How we use this vocabulary directly affects our health, happiness and success. I offer you 3 simple shifts to help you become aware of the words you choose and create a positive, fantastic life. Using these 3 shifts in your awareness creates instant results.
Shift #1: Become Aware of Negative Expressions of Your Current Emotional State – Well, that is a little long winded but the idea is to catch yourself saying things like, “I’m so tired.” “I can never catch a break.” “Why does this keep happening to me?” If you can take a few minutes each day to process what you have been telling other people, you will see these negative expressions seep out. Here’s a real example in my life. At one point, I was working 100+ hours a week and living and breathing work. I was stressed and not happy. When someone would ask me how I was doing, I had the same immediate response, “I am so overwhelmed.” One morning I caught myself and when I did, I changed it the next time. Later that morning, someone asked me, “How are you doing?” I immediately shifted the negative expression to “I’m super fantastic. Thank you for asking. How about you?” The looks and responses I got was priceless but better than that was my feeling about it. I instantly changed a negative state to a positive one. I still practice this same shift to this day.
Shift #2: Change Your Attitude – It is easy for use to get caught in the struggles of the day. We get up, head to work, get caught in traffic, arrive late for a meeting and the day goes spinning out of control. It doesn’t have to be that way. When you shift your attitude to a positive one, people will be more likely to offer help and show encouragement when thing get tough. One thing that I do to create this instant shift is to use affirmations. Well, they are more of what Tony Robbins refers to as INCANTATIONS. It is a powerful blend of affirmations using emotion, visualization and speaking out loud. The other day I found myself in a crumby state. I started my incantation when taking Rooney for a walk and literally 5-10 minutes later, I shifted from a bad attitude to a very positive one.
Shift #3: Challenge Your Beliefs – Unfortunately many of us have self-limiting beliefs. These will hold us back from experiencing success in our lives. A lot of these beliefs are not even on a conscious level either. One thing I found that can shift me instantly is become aware of my beliefs. A great test for you to try is to become aware what you say immediately after “I am…” What follows that is normally a belief. The next time you catch yourself saying, “I am” take notice of what follows. Their are two quick ways to challenge them. 1) Challenge them by changing the I AM to the complete opposite. So for instance you say, “I am so broke” you could say “I am so rich.” To me this doesn’t work so great because it is too drastic. However, sometime I will still do it anyway given the right circumstance. 2) Challenge them by changing the I AM to something a little softer. Are you really broke? No, not really. Maybe change it to something like, “I am doing the best I can financially.” You see, it is a little softer but the idea is that you keep working on it until you change the belief that you are abundance and it flows automatically to you. Before long you will be saying, “I AM a powerful, positive person. Money, love and happiness flows to me in oceans of abundance.”
By shifting your negative expressions you change your emotional state. By shifting your attitude, you feel better and others feel better around you. By shifting your beliefs to something more in line with who you really are, your world will open up to you. Practice these 3 techniques often and watch the success and happiness that follows close behind.
With gratitude and peace,
Bill