Choosing Self-Motivation

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." - Kahlil Gibran

Each of us encounters hard times, hurt feelings, heartache, and physical and emotional pain. I mean, the world is an incredibly difficult place right now. The key is to realize it's not what happens to you that matters—it's how you choose to respond. You can choose an inner dialogue of self-encouragement and motivation, or you can choose one of self-pity and defeat. Your inner dialogue will be reflected in how you act.

Keith Harrell, corporate trainer and the author of Attitude is Everything, says there are several steps you can take to improve your attitude. Here are six to get you started:

• Repeat affirmations. Positive reinforcing words charged with power and conviction, repeated several times a day, can reprogram your subconscious and trigger positive feelings that drive actions. This will make a huge difference in your overall attitude, energy and in the actions that you take. 

"Our minds can shape the way a thing will be because we act according to our expectations." - Federico Fellini 

• Discover what motivates you to take action to change your life. Basic motives include love, self-preservation, anger, financial gain and fear. Self-motivation requires enthusiasm, a positive outlook and a positive physiology—walk faster, sit up and smile. Be confident, be courageous. No fear, no worry. 

    "At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." - Lao Tzu

• Visualize positive outcomes to enhance and focus your skills. Peak performers, from surgeons to athletes, use visualization. Now, it's your turn. You can do it, do it now. Believe in you dreams, believe you deserve to achieve them. Expect to win. 

    "Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this     picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture...Do not build up obstacles in your imagination." - Norman Vincent Peale

• Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is one of the most attractive qualities you can have. It's your burning desire that communicates commitment, determination and spirit. Enthusiasm puts you in motion. In everything you do, give it your best and give it your all. Be present and in the moment.  Do what you love and love what you do.

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Laugh. The more laughter in your life, the less stress you will have. There are also health benefits to lightening up. Have fun and get the job done. 

"If laughter cannot solve your problems, it will definitely dissolve your problems; so that you can think clearly what to do about them." -Dr. Madan Kataria

• Exercise. One of the best ways to gain a more positive mindset is to exercise. Get up and move. Emotion comes from motion. Think about how you feel after a great workout or going for a brisk walk. More alive, more energetic, more willing to take on the world. Believe in yourself and your potential.

"When it comes to health and well-being, regular exercise is about as close to a magic potion as you can get." - Tich Nhat Hahn

It's no secret that life seems to reward us most when we approach it with a positive attitude. We can be bigger than anything that can happen to us.  All these things, sorrow, misfortune, and suffering, are outside our door. Deep inside in the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.  It is never too late to be what you might have been.

We make choices every day that define who we are and what we value. The quality of the work we do. What we do with our spare time. How we treat other people. How we treat ourselves. We need to make those choices carefully and thoughtfully because this is how we create who we are. What do your choices say about you? Take control of your thoughts, take control of your attitude, take control of your life.

Today is a new day and it brings with it a new set of opportunities for me to act on.

I am attentive to the opportunities and I seize them as they arise.

I have full confidence in myself and my abilities.

I can do all things that I commit myself to.

No obstacle is too big or too difficult for me to handle because what lies inside me is greater than what lies ahead of me.

I am committed to improving myself and I am getting better daily.

I am not held back by regret or mistakes from the past.

I am moving forward daily.

Absolutely nothing is impossible for me.

I will make today a great day!

Curtis