(#6 of 7) from the series: Does Positive Thinking Really Work?
Tiger Woods once commented that each time he plays golf, he has the same intention: Picture it in. Hit it to the picture. Athletes and entertainers have sports psychologists and performance coaches to help them master the art of visualization. There must be a reason. Read more
(#5 of 7) from the series: Does Positive Thinking Really Work?
A mother was preparing to have a conversation with her 9-year old daughter. She wasn’t happy about having to discipline her. “How do you want your daughter to feel after the conversation?” I asked. She was quiet for a moment and then answered, “Loved.” Later she told me that the question I had asked helped her approach the conversation differently, with her larger intention in mind (rather than being more concerned with making her point). Read more
(#4 of 7) from the series: Does Positive Thinking Really Work?
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle used questions to challenge their philosophy students. Albert Einstein believed that formulating the question was more critical than calculating the actual solution. Rabbis and other spiritual teachers impart wisdom through skillful questioning. Read more
(#3 of 7) from the series: Does Positive Thinking Really Work?
Last week, a new client and I were having our first coaching session. I asked her whether she was willing to believe that anything is possible. She immediately said yes and added, “Doesn’t everybody say yes to that question?” Frankly, no. Often, even when we hear ourselves say yes, we are besieged with doubts. Read more
(#2 of 7) from the series: Does Positive Thinking Really Work?
In the last issue, I invited you to begin noticing your internal dialogue. What do you say when you talk to yourself? If you are like most people, you may have detected the voice of a critic who occasionally intrudes with unsolicited commentary on just about anything. Read more
In the 53 years since Norman Vincent Peale first introduced his book, The Power of Positive Thinking, many others have written on the subject. The terms positive thinking, positive mental attitude (PMA), and positive mindset are commonly used today. Read more
Checking your e-mail 100 times a day…Watching mind-numbing TV vs. a program you truly enjoy…Having a cigarette just two weeks into quitting… Inhaling nacho chips when you’re not even hungry (my personal favorite)…Pressing the snooze button instead of getting up a little earlier to exercise… Picking up the phone instead of working for thirty minutes on an important project… Read more
Knowing I have a voracious appetite for things inspirational, a friend of mine gave me a calendar that has a different quotation each month. One of them, in particular, struck me: Read more
Ever hear yourself singing this refrain? I certainly used to but not anymore. Despite being organized by nature and a good planner, I was still often frustrated when the day ended and I glanced at what was left to be done. Then I discovered the missing piece. I realized that I had a deficit mentality with regard to time, a defeatist approach that set me up for frustration. If I believed there were not enough hours in the day, then you can bet this proved itself to be true every time. I was only defining success by if I did it all (which, of course, was impossible). Read more
In the last issue, I introduced the parallel tracks of LEAP + STEADY-AS-YOU-GO as a useful strategy for approaching your goals. There are two seemingly contradictory qualities which go hand in hand with this strategy: PATIENCE and BOLDNESS. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, I’ve never been very patient,” or “Uh-oh. Boldness isn’t exactly my thing.” Don’t worry. These traits can be grown. Read more