The Power of Positive Belief: Three Easy Ways to Build Yours
Episode #8 of the course Ten essential traits for today’s leaders by Frank McKinley
Welcome to Lesson Eight!
In the last lesson, we learned the value of self-control. Today we’ll see how your belief can create whatever success you want!
My mom read The Little Engine That Could to me when I was five. Here’s the plot. The engine on a long train breaks down. Other bigger engines are asked to haul the train over a mountain.
“I can’t,” one replies.
“It’s too much for me,” another moans.
The little engine had only moved a few cars around the railyard. He jumped at the chance when asked.
“I think I can.”
He repeated those words as he chugged up the mountain, fighting against gravity the whole way.
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
As he reached the top and began his descent down the other side, he changed the phrase to “I thought I could! I thought I could! I thought I could!”
What Do You Believe?
We believe the fairytale because it seems possible. When you’re in a marathon, you push yourself because you’re certain you’ll finish. You encourage yourself along the way because crossing the finish line is the sweetest thing ever.
How do you see your day before you start?
• Struggling when you face challenges.
• Handling disagreements courageously.
• Wanting to stay in bed and call in sick.
• Blasting past every goal you’ve set.
If you see it, you do it. Your vision is a self-fulfilling prophecy. What pictures do you dwell on throughout your day? Are they fueling your success or are they cutting your legs out from under you?
In this lesson, we’ll keep it simple. You’re about to learn three steps that will virtually guarantee your success—if you apply them in good faith.
What Does Positive Belief Mean?
When you’re positive, you’re certain. Have you noticed how the most successful people talk? They speak as if what they want will come to them. They use words that paint a picture of success, not a failure.
What you say is what you get. Belief means you trust that something is true. It can be good or bad. What you believe influences what you do.
Three Steps to Build Your Power of Positive Belief Right Now
First, visualize yourself succeeding. TV and movies have shown us what it means to form a vivid mental picture.
Your brain is even more powerful. It can add sense experience to the picture. See what’s happening through your eyes. Feel the confidence inside you. Hear your voice as you command the room. Taste the victory and develop a hunger for more! Then call on it when you confront the challenges you face. You’ll be amazed at how powerfully it works.
Second, act as if your biggest dreams are true. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Do that. Act as if you can’t fail. Do what you’d do if you were that certain.
Your reward will be the success you want most. You’ll also be more resourceful than ever because you’ll think in terms of victory, not defeat.
Third, see setbacks as feedback. Defeat is all in your head. Sure, you won’t win every sale, every argument, or every shot you take. Don’t worry about it. Learn from it.
What can you do to change the course? How can you stay on track to your destination despite the detours you encounter along the way? There’s always more than one way to do something, so be open to every possibility.
When you don’t see losing as final, you’ll press on to victory.
Do This Now
Pick one situation where your beliefs hinder you. Do the opposite. Discover what’s not working and adjust it so it works.
Write about your experience. How did it make you feel? How did changing your belief change your outcome? Set a forecast you’re proud to fulfill. You have the power if you believe it!
Next time we’ll dive into the magical power of persuasion. See you then!
Lead well,
Frank
Recommended book
A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage by Cyndie Spiegel
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