ASK THE COACH
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Success Depends on Realizing the Power of Thoughts
By Dr. Ray Angelini
The Saratogian
September 9, 2003
Dear Dr. Ray,
I have been trying for several years to establish my own business and, despite having a good business plan, ample capital and competent professional guidance, I am still floundering. What would you recommend?
— T.G. in Ballston Spa
Dear T.G.,
As a business coach, I run across this issue quite frequently. As a rule, if all the other necessary ingredients are in place, the main reason why people do not succeed in business or any endeavor is often the result of faulty thinking.
In my career as a psychologist and coach, it has never ceased to amaze me how much we tend to underestimate the power of our thoughts. With more people becoming familiar with the Law of Attraction through books like The Secret, many people are developing a deeper appreciation of the power of our thoughts. As a rule, if all the other necessary ingredients are in place, the main reason why people do not succeed in business or any endeavor is most often the result of faulty thinking. One of the most important dynamics of psychology is the relationship between how we think and how we feel and act. Because we are constantly thinking it is very easy for us to become unaware of our thoughts. However, becoming chronically unaware of our thought patterns can often have disastrous consequences in our lives.
For example, you may wake up in the middle of the night worrying how you are going to make payroll for the week. Then, you start imagining various negative scenarios to make you even more upset. If we do not become aware and make a conscious effort to stop this cascade of negative thinking, it can snowball out of control. For many people, this negative thought attack can go on indefinitely and lead to chronic conditions such as depression and anxiety.
The key is to become aware of your thoughts before they have the opportunity to build up negative momentum. The earlier we catch ourselves engaging in negative thinking, the easier it is to stop the momentum of the snowball. We want to prevent the snowball from becoming a snow boulder. Negative thoughts and feelings do not exist on their own. Neither do positive feelings and behaviors. Both are grounded in how and what we think. Developing awareness of how and what we are thinking is the first step in putting ourselves on the path to success.
In his landmark book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill stressed the importance of positive affirmations in becoming a successful person. Hill strongly believes that we need to constantly steer our mind positively in the directions of our goals. Hill stressed that constant focus on our goals was the key to success because he firmly believed that our positive thoughts would transform themselves into physical reality.
Therefore, if you want to be successful, you must become more aware of your thinking. Becoming more aware of our thoughts and consciously and consistently steering them in a positive direction is the key to success and happiness. So, if you want to be more happy and successful, start with your changing how you think. You will be glad you did.
