Helen Armstrong

You are capable of doing amazing things, of achieving all of your hopes, dreams and goals and living the life you want to live. You were born with this ability. So what happened? Life happened. Along the way, you picked up a few limiting beliefs, behaviors and some negative thoughts. It happens to everyone. The good news is there’s something you can do about it. Here are a few tips and suggestions to begin to unlock your potential.

Step One. Recognize negative thoughts. We all have negative thoughts. We think things like, “I’m bad with money, I don’t like to make phone calls or I’m just no good at getting organized” all the time. We do it automatically, without thinking. So the first step is to begin to filter these negative thoughts. Start to recognize them. When you do recognize them, change them to be positive thoughts. For example, “I’m good with money”. If that feels to forced then consider letting the negative thoughts go. For example, you can say to yourself, “I have had some trouble with money in the past but I’m looking forward now and am good with money now.” This strategy enables you to let go of your past mistakes, and believe me everyone has made mistakes, and to positively focus on the future and what you’re capable of.

Step Two. Assess your strengths. Have you ever noticed that if you receive 10 compliments in one day and one criticism, you focus on the criticism? It’s our nature to focus on the negative and the areas where we’re not so strong. However, focusing on our strengths is much more productive and quite honestly your strengths are where you’re going to achieve your success. So let those weaknesses go, ignore the criticism, and be proud of who you are.

Step Three. Be grateful. You may have heard this one too many times however gratitude really is a tremendous success tool. When you’re grateful for what you have and for the mistakes and lessons you learn, then you’re 100 times more powerful. Gratitude not only helps you take a positive approach to almost everything you do, it affects how people respond to you. They’ll be significantly more likely to help you, to want to work with you, or to buy from you if you radiate a positive and grateful glow.

Step Four. Visualize what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and to visualize success right down to the nitty gritty details. Visualization is a powerful process used by the most successful business owners in the world, by athletes, and by spiritual leaders everywhere. Visualization helps your mind and body perform as if you’ve already succeeded.

Step Five. Let go. Let go of limiting beliefs, or the idea that you can’t do something, that success isn’t possible or that you’re just not cut out for it. When a limiting belief comes up, for example, people don’t want to buy stamps in this economy, is a limiting belief if you’re not thinking outside of the box, right? Explore why you have that belief and if you really believe it to be true. If you don’t, let it go, it’s holding you back from achieving the success you desire.

When you’re able to clear away negative thoughts and limiting beliefs and embrace your strengths and your ability to visualize and accomplish your goals, nothing can stop you. You really are capable of achieving anything you set your heart and mind to.

I would love to hear your comments.