Believing in Oneself is a Daily Commitment

"If you think you can or you think you can't - you're right!" Henry Ford

Principle 5 in The Success Principles by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer is "believe in yourself". In that chapter Canfield refers to the negative power of the phrase "I can't"

Remember the story of the little engine that could? The little engine had to get a huge load up a huge hill. It seemed impossible but he kept trying and as he tried he said, "I think I can. I think I can?", until finally he made it.

I often feel like that little engine with one unfortunate difference. I hear another voice trying to cancel out my "I think I can" refrain. It is the insidious little voice of the conductor whispering, "No you can't. No you can't". And her voice sounds an awful lot like mine.

When I decided to quit the rat race and make my living without a job, I expected opposition. I expected negative voice to be coming from my family and my well meaning friends. But they all surprised me with their encouragement and support. I think that part of the reason is because many people secretly share my dream of making a living without a job. If I succeed then maybe someday they will too. They also love me and believe in me.

No that voice that says, "You can't make it," comes from inside me. I have to work every day to drown out that whisper. I have to keep my goals front and center and tell myself over and over that "I can!"

I carry a stack of 3" X 5" cards in my purse with my goals written on them stated as if they had already occurred. An example would be: "I am so excited that my book, Stress and the Single Mom has become an instant best seller and that Jay Leno has invited me to be his guest on the Tonight Show. (Feb 19, 2006). I say these affirmations each morning and each night. And whenever I find myself having to wait in line, I whip out my little cards and go over them again.

I know I will make my dreams come true. I am already living them out in so many ways but still I must work being positive every day. It is not as if I can conquer one success principle and then move on to the next. It is an on-going daily commitment. And it is worth the effort.

Every day my "I can" voice gets clearer and louder. And every day, that negative little whispering voice is gets fainter and weaker.

I don't know if I will ever totally silence that insidious conductor but he has definitely been demoted. I am the conductor now.

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

(c) Jeanne Russell - All Rights reserved

-- Jeanne Russell is a mother writer and entrepreneur, She is founder of http://www.jeannerussell.com ( a website devoted to self-improvement and success) and also http://www.stressandthesinglemom.com

---

Identity Theft - Defining Who We Are

Identity theft!We've all seen them. The commercials use the voices... Read More

If You Compare, Beware!

Picture this scene: Little Johnny's mother places a large piece... Read More

Scientific Discovery Reveals How You Can Live Better Forever

If you are not experiencing perfect, harmonious, pressure-free life experiences... Read More

The Psychology Of Success; Part 2

In the first part of this article you learned some... Read More

Filling Your Bucket - How Negativity Can Make Or Break Your Business and Personal Success!

I received an advanced copy of a book called How... Read More

Success Is Based On A Realistic Plan

Everyone wants to be successful. However, many people often rely... Read More

Thinking for Success

Thoughts are very powerful. An intention held long and hard... Read More

What ARE the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind?

If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More

How to Network Your Way to Success

Successful people do not achieve success on their own, they... Read More

So What is Success Anyway?

Well I'll tell you what it's not. Even thought many... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Clown Around

Clown around Among the Plains Indians, heyoka, or sacred clowns,... Read More

Attitude Is The Key To Success

We all want success in life. We want success in... Read More

Why the Elephants Dont Run

A number of years ago, I had the rather unique... Read More

Top 5 Sources of Energy Drain

Along with time and money, energy is one of your... Read More

Have You Given Away Your Power?

Does your life feel less than fulfilling? Are you waiting... Read More

Take Care of Yourself to Achieve Maximum Results (part 1)

All too often, we push ourselves past the limits of... Read More

How To Get As Lucky As J. Paul Getty

J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More

8 Ways to Get Off The Success-Go-Round and Have a Consistent Flow of Success

Are you consistently chasing success? Once you achieve it, do... Read More

Simple Money Spells

Magic doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some very... Read More

Is Your Life A Minefield ?

Why everything has to be so hard? What have I... Read More

Achieve Success Now - What Are You Waiting For?

Are you ready to finally realize your dream? I'm talking... Read More

Emerging As Winners!

People like to emerge as winners by hook or crook... Read More

Mindfulness and Conversation: Mastering The Art of Small Talk

How's the weather there?We use small talk to connect with... Read More

Expectations

I'll let you in on a little secret...life delivers pretty... Read More

Back-Planning For Success

Coming up with new dreams and passions can be fun,... Read More

The Parable of the Touchstone

The Great Library of Alexandria once held the wisdom of... Read More

You, 5.0: How To Master Any Skill Quickly

So you want to expand your horizons by securing a... Read More

How To Prepare Yourself Mentally For Success

Okay, so you've finally made that big decision to start... Read More

The Secret Behind All Great Masterpieces: Lessons Learned!

The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More

Do You Want to Just Survive or Thrive? (Part 2)

"Fighting to pay the bills is hardly worth it? fight... Read More

The 10 Questions to Ask Yourself If You Haven?t Reached a Dream

Following are a series of questions I needed to ask... Read More

Wheres Your Value?

The simple action of writing the every day grocery demonstrates... Read More

The Role of Failure in Success

Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More