What you focus on tends to happen. If you are consumed with pessimistic thoughts and worst-case scenarios, you tend not to take positive actions to ensure success, as your thoughts don't allow you to do so. If, on the other hand, you focus on how you can get great outcomes, you naturally tend to do things that will help you to achieve great things.

Let's say you have to give an important presentation at work next week. In the days leading up to it, you find yourself thinking about all the things that could go wrong. Maybe you're not up to the task, your nerves could get the better of you and you may stumble over your words, you could get asked a tricky question and not have an answer and be embarrassed in front of your colleagues. How do you think the presentation will go?

Now let's say you make a conscious effort to fill your head with more positive, optimistic thoughts. You visualise yourself giving an exciting and informative speech with assurance and charisma. You see yourself answering any questions with knowledge and certainty. Now you feel excitement instead of fear, and confidence instead of doubt. This mindset allows you to prepare for your presentation thoroughly and in a constructive way, so that you are in no doubt about your ability to perform.

Imagine you are learning to speak French. If you constantly focus on how difficult it is, you will tend to avoid studying, because you associate learning French with unpleasant feelings. If, however, you focus on how good it feels when you learn a new phrase, or the excitement of pronouncing a tricky word correctly, you will be more inclined to want to learn more, and so progress faster.

There is nothing mystical or magical about how focussing on the positive tends to lead to better results - it's just basic psychology and common sense. The idea that if you "wish" for something hard enough, then the "universe" will reward you is nonsense. You can "think positively" all you want about winning Lotto - it's not going to improve your chances one iota. But when you have the power of influence over events, making a choice about how you approach things can make all the difference in the world.

Make thinking positively and optimistically a habit. You will find that you automatically start to do things that move you towards success.
If you live in Auckland, and would like to find out about personal coaching, visit www.eclipselifecoaching.com or call Kris on (09) 629 6080.

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