The problem is that our negative thinking has become so ingrained that we don’t even notice it. So to transform it, we must first begin to take note of it, to watch our thinking, to be an observer to our own mental processes. It might be useful to carry a small notebook and – for one day – jot down all the negative thoughts and fears that we notice. At the end of the day (in which we’ve probably developed a very long list) – reframe every item on the list to its corresponding positive. Read the new list aloud. Let it in.

Indeed, creating new thinking habits will take time, effort, attentiveness. Or will it?

Over the last few weeks I’ve given much thought to my own thinking processes, and come to the realization that to a very large extent, it is my THINKING that has kept me from really succeeding in my online business. I’ve read and heard a lot about needing to make a plan and to take action and so forth, and while that is surely true, there’s something that comes before all of that. And that is our belief systems. That is the very first challenge to overcome.

This realization has been the proverbial ‘light bulb moment’ for me, and just as I’ve begun to challenge myself, my thoughts, something interesting happened.

I was invited to participate in a beta program intended to test ‘a new and powerful technology’ that will transform my belief system and help me to become a ’super achiever’ – in whatever way that may have meaning in my life (business, relationships, health, finances, etc.).

I’ve been given a questionnaire to complete, the purpose of which is to help me develop a total of 7 belief statements. For each belief statement, the process is the same:

1. Ask yourself this question: “How are things now?”

(Sample answer: “I’m not making any money in my online business.”).

2. Then ask: “How do you want things to be instead?”

(Sample answer: “I want my business to be successful and to make lots of money.”).

3. Define what you want so that your subconscious will understand it. Write down how it is you will know that you have achieved your goal.

(Sample statement: “I see more than $5000 in income every month.”).

4. Define your belief statement. Use the first person and the present tense (“I have” or “I am”, not “I will have” or “I will be”).

(Sample statement: “I earn more than $5000 ever month in Internet marketing.”).

I’ve received the questionnaire in PDF format and over the next couple of days will formulate my ‘beliefs’. I will then forward this information to the project developer (along with my name and photo). My information will then be fed into this software-based technology, and a video will be custom made for me that will incorporate the personalized code that will help me to become a superachiever.

Subliminal messaging? I can’t say what’s involved, but I’m curious enough to want to find out.

As a beta tester, I will have a responsibility to provide the project developer with some feedback about my ‘progress’. I’ll keep you posted on the results.

In the meantime, how would you answer these questions? What are the beliefs that you would like to create in your life?  Your comments are always welcome.

As we got deeper into it, there was something that was rubbing me the wrong way. As my friend talked on (she’s quite a talker) I realized how negative and pessimistic her comments were. “I can’t afford this and that” and “I’ll never be able to get this or that” (a garage, a carport, a revamped driveway etc.).

After a few minutes, when I could no longer tolerate the negativity, I interrupted her (nicely) and shared my reaction with her. She was surprised – and appreciative – at the opportunity to step away from her thoughts and look at them from a more objective perspective.

This is something that I’ve been thinking a lot about with respect to my own thought process, but this small event brought it all back into focus for me.

It’s helped me realize how often my own thoughts are self-defeating. How often do I tell myself that I can’t, or I’m afraid to, or I’m not smart enough, or whatever (fill in the blank)?

It happens way too much, and it begins to block my progress. The fallout of this type of thinking is far-reaching, affecting everything I do – my relationships, my hopes and aspirations, my achievements.

So it doesn’t just get in the way of my online success, but yes, that too! I’ve got that old tape in there, running in my head every day, reminding me that I’ll never be able to do this or that.

Well, time to yank that tape out and do a different kind of chatter. One that is enabling, not disabling. And yes, all the stuff here we see on this forum about creating a plan, taking action in a focused kind of way that is congruent with a solid plan, sticking with one thing rather than jumping around, staying focused etc – this is all critical stuff.

But just as critical – at least for me – is to take note of what what that internal tape is playing in my head, over and over. Will my words facilitate the implementation of my plan, thus opening the door to focused action – or do my words debilitate me? Will they be self-limiting or self-empowering? I have the choice.

Pretty amazing. For all the excuses I’ve given myself about why I get ’stuck’ (usually blaming something external, thus making it ‘outside’ of my control) – the answer has been right here in my own head all along.

Not that it’s easy to change that tape. But recognizing the need to do so is a good first step.

What do you think? What is your internal tape telling you? And how do you overcome your self-limiting thoughts?

Would love to hear from you.