You Are Right

If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.

Henry Ford

Sounds Simple

This sounds simple. If you believe something, you can make it happen. How does this work?

It’s the power of belief. The power of our thoughts. We are powerful. We can make things happen in our lives and conversely we can sabotage our lives.

What are the steps to making things happen?

• Relax
• Visualize Your Intention
• Stay Positive
• Plan
• Find the Joy

Relax

Pick your favorite spot. It’s a place that you feel most like you. Maybe it’s a room in your home or a spot in a park. It doesn’t matter where, only that it’s someplace you can be comfortable.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose and let the breath out through your mouth. Feel your muscles relax. Feel your mind relax. Keep breathing gently.

Visualize Your Intention

We often think of what we DON’T want and get into a pattern of negative thinking. So, think about one thing you would like to become or bring into your life. Maybe a new career or a new place to live.

I’ll use an example from my life when I wanted to learn to be a yoga teacher. What does that visualization look like?

“I am teaching in front of a group of people. I am smiling. The participants are smiling. I am leading the group in a yoga practice. I feel at ease. I smell the essential oils of orange and peppermint being diffused in the room. I hear a participant ask a question about where their hand should be placed. I answer confidently demonstrating the hand placement.”

Notice how the visualization has details. My visualization focuses on many things: smells, emotions, the actions of participants, and my own actions. I am very focused with the intention of what it looks like once I’ve achieved the goal.

Stay Positive

Easier said than done, right? Our brain (or well-meaning friends) say, “But I need to be realistic!” No, you don’t when you are visualizing something. You are bringing an image of joy and passion into your life, and there is no space there for all of the reasons why you should not do that thing! Realism is meant for the planning phase, so, keep adding to your visualization every single day. Dream and enjoy it.

Some people like to write this vision out on paper or type it up. This isn’t a plan, it’s a vision. It could be made pretty with photos and other embellishments. These are called vision boards. Creating something physical becomes a reminder to keep that vision of your intention alive for you.

Plan

Realism is used in the planning step but it is done while keeping what you visualized in your mind. Brainstorm first. Who can help you? What education might you need? How much money does that take? How much time will it take? Look at your calendar. All of the practical details that you can think of will be listed.

The trick is, keep redirecting your mind when you get discouraged by the answers to these questions. You might think, “That will cost too much.” When something like that comes into your mind, recognize it as a concern. Acknowledge the thought and then flip it around to a positive. For example, “That training will cost too much.” Look up the actual cost of the training program. Does that thought still hold true? If yes, think about alternatives. Would a different training program cost less? Can you call the program director and ask for a payment plan to make it more affordable over time? Research things, don’t assume.

Good planning will look at concerns and find alternatives to minimize or eliminate those concerns. It will make you feel more at ease in your vision and excited about what is happening in your life.

Find the Joy

Now you are ready for the journey towards what you want to bring into your life. Keep your sense of joy about this path you have created. Enjoy each step you take. Celebrate your successes along the way.

Some steps in your journey you will have planned and others may be unexpected. This is normal, this is life! Use the same steps above again when unexpected things pop up. Use them as an opportunity to adjust your vision.

Remember, if you believe something, you can make it happen.

You are powerful.

You are right!