every thought you think

One idea that runs through the lexicon of self improvement is that you are what you think.

In fact one of the earliest books on self improvement was called "As a Man Thinketh" and it is available for free on the web here.

The power of our thoughts can be our greatest ally, and our greatest enemy.

Fortunately we can to a very great extent guide our thoughts, in doing so our thoughts will guide us to the desired outcome.

There is a constant monologue going on in our mind and it behaves as it does out of habit. Change the habits of this monologue on purpose and you gain that valuable ally.

This 'voice' is often called "self talk" and it should not be confused with "positive thinking" which is a little bit different. Self talk is more about paying attention to what you are thinking and guiding these thoughts.

Self talk does not have to be relentlessly positive but it does need to be reinforcing and it needs to be in your own voice. There are programs you can buy that provide a monologue to listen to, and they are very helpful, but it would be best if they could be in your own voice.

Self talk is easy to construct as it involves a combination of three elements; I, what to do, why.

For example I am not the greatest lover of fruit on the planet so I might say to myself, "I like fruit because it's good for me." instead of saying "I don't like fruit very much."

Pay attention to your thoughts and when you hear one that is not in your favor take a second to write a new thought. Make this writing a little habit and these self talk thoughts will invade your thinking and help guide you to the outcome you want.

I could probably write more about this but for some reason I just remembered that I have some apples and oranges in the other room and I think I would like to have some for breakfast.