“You become what you think about.”
- Earl Nightingale
Have you noticed how gloomy many people appear lately with all the negative news we hear? The news seems to surround us with a negative view of all that impacts our lives and our businesses. If we allow ourselves to dwell on the news as it is presented we will begin to react negatively, always worrying about tomorrow rather than taking action to move forward today.
I have a good friend in the real estate business with Prudential Locations, Dennis Muth. A few days before Christmas, he sent me a really cute note with a great message. The subject of the email was, “A Realtor’s Letter to Santa…” As part of the letter he thanked Santa for bringing 10 things he wished for early. Here are the 10 things he wished for and got early:
- Gas prices have come WAY down!
- Interest rates are in the 4% range making it a great time for buyers and those who want to refinance!
- FHA increased their limits to over $625K and still only require 3.5% down payment.
- $7,500 of down payment or closing cost assistance from Uncle Sam for buyers.
- The military is expanding in our islands and bringing about 1,000 new construction jobs, putting $1.5 Billion into our local economy over the next 10 years.
- Electricity costs are actually lower.
- Kama’aina deals are abundant.
- The waves and the beach are still FREE!
- Unlike most of America, we can still wear shorts on Christmas Day!
- The Warriors are playing a Bowl game!
When I read this email I remembered my Dad teaching me early on to recognize and think about the good in people and in our circumstances. The Bible teaches a life lesson in the book of James about our need to control our tongues to become better people. Many entrepreneurial and business training philosophies tell us to keep our talk and thoughts positive and constructive. They encourage the use of “I am…” statements like:
- I am serving my customers in a way that makes them want to do repeat business with me.
- I am following my action plan daily and my business continues to grow.
- I am working on things important to my business and not spending time on low priority or unnecessary things.
- I am achieving balance in my life and reconnecting with family and friends.
Many people just starting their business are told to “fake it until you make it.” This is just another way of saying you need to talk and think success and then you will act successful. Others will see you as successful and before you know it, you will be successful.
Knowing now what we think about and what we talk about leads to how we act and ultimately what we achieve, think on and answer these questions:
- Do I begin each day with a positive thought?
- Do I make a point to pay a genuine compliment to another person within the first hour of each day?
- Do I have a vision for my future written as if it were already happening?
- Do I read my vision out loud to myself at least once each day?
- Do I finish each day with a quick review of what went well and thinking on the learning opportunities presented when things didn’t go as planned?
- Do I pause at the end of the day and write down three things I am thankful for from my day?
When things around us make it a challenge to stay positive and motivated to move forward to greater success, remember there are things we can do each day to fight back! Think and talk positive and you will begin to feel and act positive.
I would love to hear from you if you decide to try this approach. Let me know how it is working out. You can email me at B.Collins@TheGrowthCoach.com.
“Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results.”
- James Allen
