There is power in thoughts. There is power in words. When we are constantly exposed to certain ideas, when we are constantly told certain things, we tend to believe it. Verily, we end up living these ideas in one measure or the other. These ideas, this constant bombardment of comments, compliments and admonitions of others, form our mental landscape in that they are the undertones of who we become as we start to believe in these.
Take for example what your parents constantly told you when you were a child. Do you notice that you either conform to them, or form a conscious decision to rebel from what they've bombarded you with?
But let me tell you a secret. You can turn negative "programmed" thoughts around to your benefit. Yes, you can. You can go either of two ways: you can fight these thoughts with self-affirmations to the contrary, or you can use these thoughts to fuel your drive to prove them wrong.
Going with self-affirmation is easy. Every time you hear yourself reverting to memories of mommy's comments that "an A- will never be an A+", you can do the simple exercise: "I am a person of worth. I am excellent, and I will reach my goals no matter what. I am enough."
If the affirmation is not enough to lift your spirits, start citing your achievements. Remember your victories. Even the littlest ones count. Remember the time you were able to say "no" when your buddies wanted you to go party but you decided to stay in to finish your paper? That is a victory. Recount all those moments that showed that you had willpower, that you showed the determination to rise above your weaknesses.
The other way is to use the thoughts to spur you on, as I said. So every time you remember daddy ignoring your A+ on a paper because he wanted you to go for the cheerleading or football team, remember that his goals are not your goals. Tell yourself that you are geared for success in the field that YOU chose. And run on to your goal. Go on to soaring through the roadblocks. And when you've surmounted them all, look back and congratulate yourself. Then cheer yourself on for the next hurdles ahead.
Another thing is, use others' compliments to cheer you when you're down. When you feel like you're the most miserable, pathetic creature on earth, remember all those moments when you've had victories and people have cheered you on for them. Remember all the positive traits others have complimented you on. Write them down in a list, for use in future moments of self-doubt. Never allow yourself to be dragged down by the negativity of others' criticisms of you. Bear in mind that they do not live your life, YOU do. And if you fully believe that you are in control, take steps to take control of your thoughts. Start with surrounding yourself with positive thoughts. And hurdle those roadblocks, one leap at a time.
Related Articles
Tell Your Mind What to Think
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Motivational
A friend once told us this amusing fact: his huge Rottweiler is afraid of cats. His story goes that when the dog was a young pup, it tried the usual dog-hates-cats' snarling and snapping technique on an older cat.
Visualizing Your Rise to the Top
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Motivational
The saying that "you can do whatever you can put your mind to," is true. If you have read the success stories of countless men and women's rise to the top, you would note that there is a lot of dreaming involved.
Riding Above the Waves of Life: How to Let Realistic Optimism Work for You
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Self Help
We all want success. We all want to live comfortable lives, staying in control, staying on top of problems. But life seems to batter every one of us with waves of problems that sometimes leave some of us wiped out. But there is a way to rise above it, so that we can control the way we ride with the waves, and not have these waves keep us under.
How To Make Sure That Your Choice Is Correct
By: Moni Arora | 07/03/2007 | Self Help
Everything we wanted to be in life all boils down to a choice. Scary, right? So if you really want to do something or be someone - how do you do it? How do you make sure that your choice is correct?
Health and Fitness Goal Achievement - the Path to Success Begins in the Mind
By: David P. Morrow | 08/05/2008 | Goal Setting
Summer time is upon us - but it's not too late to take some quick steps to make sure you look and feel great! Here are four quick steps you can take to get yourself heading in the right direction. It is never too late to get yourself on your way to better shape with plenty of energy!
Gambling Success, How to Genuinely Increase your Luck - Mind Power Report
By: James Phillips | 24/08/2006 | Online Gambling
How to receive your share of the world's prosperity by letting your mind evolve as it was meant to. Is this the stuff to make dreams come true? Is this too unbelievable to be real? Is there abundance for everyone? Can it happen to you? Well - you decide for yourself.
You, Me, Happiness and Philosophy - the Only Way to Feel Happy!!!
By: Amir Ragporker | 27/11/2007 | Self Improvement
Here is a powerful secret that everyone holds in their minds about happiness. Most of the people are surprised to hear it, be free to vomit after you hear it. But realizing it as the truth will transform your life forever.
Back to School: You’re Never Too Old
By: Annette Pieper | 07/09/2007 | Self Improvement
September means back to school. It seems that after Labor Day, the new school year really kicks into gear. It’s a time for bringing in new information; a time of increased learning after a summer of fun and play. Kids and college students aren’t the only ones that must concentrate on learning.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Could I be pregnant for having unprotected sex on ...
By: Raya_420 | 26-11-2007
could I be pregnant for having unprotected sex on the last day of my period? Should I take my pills today?
How big is the stomach?
By: colinf | 25-11-2007
How big is the stomach? I heard that it is about the size of your fist which is hard to believe after such a big thanksgiving meal. How does it digest so much food and does it stretch easily? Is that why I get more hungry sooner after big meals?
I am 15 years old.I dont need very much healthy ...
By: Furious | 25-11-2007
I am 15 years old.I dont need very much healthy food.I am losing a lot of hair and i dont know what to eat.Please help me or email me in divine_lod@hotmail.com
Is the alzheimer disease more current in europian people?
By: anat | 24-11-2007
are the yemenite population is immuzed against alzheimer disease?
Is there any cure for chronic head infections such ...
By: Nana | 24-11-2007
Is there any cure for chronic head infections such as, cold almost everyday, headaches most a time, flue, itches in the head, itche in the ear?If there is a cure tell me how.
Repercussions to fake eyelashed?!?!?!
By: JenniferL | 24-11-2007
i heard something on the news about fake eyelashes and the glue that's used to put them on with causing blindness or deterioration in eyesight. is there any truth to this?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Motivational Articles
Achieve the Life You Desire With the Universal Law of Attraction
By: Danette Hibberd | 21/08/2008
If you find that something is missing in your life then you just might have found the answer here. Universal laws govern the universe and these basic principles of life have been around since the very onset of creation itself.
Supporting Those Who Support Others
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at how charities, with the support of larger corporations, help disadvantaged and disabled children to have a better quality of life.
Mastering Your Mind Power: are Affirmations Really True?
By: Harold L Lowe | 20/08/2008
Affirmations are as true as the seeds you plant in your garden. Even though you cannot physically see the fruits of your labor immediately, you know that a harvest already pre-exists in the seeds.
You Can Make Social Security Obsolete
By: Robert | 20/08/2008
Learn how to create your own financial nest egg and retire early with easy to use principles that are changing peoples lives.
Positive Expectancy - the Mindset of Achievers
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
An absolutely crucial ingredient toward the accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor is the mindset that you can and will achieve the results you want. The person who practices the attitude of positive expectancy has a greater likelihood of achieving desired results than the individual who even unintentionally acts with negative expectancy.
Self-motivation – Set the Foundation
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
How to get motivated and stay motivated is a fascinating and powerful topic that, when understood and properly implemented, can positively change the course of one’s results. Mindset is 99% of the necessary action.
Visualizing Accelerates Goal Achievement
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
The use of visualization is one of the most effective ways to accelerate the achievement of a goal, but it is probably the most under-utilized success tool available. In a Harvard study, researchers discovered that students who visualized in advance of anticipated tasks performed with nearly 100% accuracy when tested.
Positive Self-talk is an Effective Success Tool
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
For practically every habit you want to change, you can create a better, more productive Self-Talk that will advance desired change and results. Learn how to properly feed your brain with right thoughts and words, and you will discover a powerful method for positively impacting your life forever.
More from Moni Arora
How To Make Sure That Your Choice Is Correct
By: Moni Arora | 07/03/2007 | Self Help
Everything we wanted to be in life all boils down to a choice. Scary, right? So if you really want to do something or be someone - how do you do it? How do you make sure that your choice is correct?
Riding Above the Waves of Life: How to Let Realistic Optimism Work for You
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Self Help
We all want success. We all want to live comfortable lives, staying in control, staying on top of problems. But life seems to batter every one of us with waves of problems that sometimes leave some of us wiped out. But there is a way to rise above it, so that we can control the way we ride with the waves, and not have these waves keep us under.
Visualizing Your Rise to the Top
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Motivational
The saying that "you can do whatever you can put your mind to," is true. If you have read the success stories of countless men and women's rise to the top, you would note that there is a lot of dreaming involved.
Tell Your Mind What to Think
By: Moni Arora | 06/03/2007 | Motivational
A friend once told us this amusing fact: his huge Rottweiler is afraid of cats. His story goes that when the dog was a young pup, it tried the usual dog-hates-cats' snarling and snapping technique on an older cat.
Be the Kind Of Friend Everyone Loves To Have
By: Moni Arora | 12/02/2007 | Self Help
You can't please everybody; there will always be someone you know who isn't very pleased with you. In fact some may even hate you. Even within the circle of your friends, you cannot be assured that all of them like being around you. Have you ever thought of the reasons why?
10 Helpful Tips To Improve Your Self-Esteem
By: Moni Arora | 11/02/2007 | Motivational
It makes no difference whether you pursue it actively or unconsciously, what matters is the effort to work on improving your self-esteem. However, the problem lies on where you want to begin. Seemingly, you are working on the outside indicators.
Eight Tips To Improving Your Personality
By: Moni Arora | 11/02/2007 | Self Help
Every person desires to improve his or her own personality. It is quite evident in the methods and processes that is being employed in order to accomplish this particular goal.
Concepts Of Happiness And Success
By: Moni Arora | 11/02/2007 | Motivational
Happiness and success are two concepts intertwined with one another. These are two of the most important ingredients that would eventually define a person's life.
Self Improvement 
