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

---

Success: The Slight-Edge Formula

Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More

Reaping a Multiple Reward

For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. That's one... Read More

Parable for a New Age

Daddy was a very, very odd little man-possibly a schizophrenic-for... Read More

A Friends Evaluation

Evaluations are a tremendous resource to help us know where... Read More

Preparing For Success

Everyone wants to be successful. Everyone wants to have more,... Read More

?Defining and Feeling Successful? (However you define success)

Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More

+ Persistence =

"Never, never, never give up; never give up, never!." -... Read More

The Honor Roll of Life

All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More

How I Changed The World

There is no substitute for direct personal application. Information or... Read More

Mind is the Forerunner of All States

Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More

Top 6 Business Success Strategies

"The principal purpose of business is to create a customer."... Read More

The Winning Edge Theory

One of the greatest challenges people face when trying to... Read More

Perseverance - How To Quit Quitting

The Definition Of PerseveranceFrom a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining... Read More

The Courage To Act

The world is full of people with great intentions. They... Read More

In Success Language, Failure Means You Are Almost There!

We all know as we are progressing towards our personal... Read More

Self-confidence - How To Develop This Important Key to Success

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key... Read More

Dont Let Conflict Keep You from Success

Anytime you are making ground and moving toward success, there... Read More

Learning From Failure--What To Do When You Blow It!

Becoming successful is not easy. We all get tossed around... Read More

Is Success About Money?

Success could be just about making money, but I think... Read More

The Secret To Life Long Success And Fulfillment

What Makes the Difference?On a warm spring afternoon, fifteen years... Read More

Helpful Tips to Overcome Procrastination

Many among us, on many instances, have the habit of... Read More

Blessing The Money You Spend

A young girl opens a birthday card from her grand... Read More

The Definition of WIN!

When you look into the eyes of a winner, what... Read More

Trusting The Higher Self

As very few people achieve enlightenment in one lifetime, as... Read More

Chinese Gooseberries and Oprah?

Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More

100 Top 2004 Secrets to Success

After all the things I have shared with you this... Read More

Achieve Success Now - What Are You Waiting For?

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

Handling Rejection

Everybody suffers rejection at some time or another in their... Read More

Success Lessons From Marathons - Start Slow And Get Slower But Make Sure You Finish

A good laugh can help in a difficult or tough... Read More

Top Ten Strategies For Becoming Uncommonly Successful

Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More

Sharpen Your Saw by Continuously Learning

What does a sharp saw have to do with lifelong... Read More

How to Make Your Wildest Dreams a Reality

According to Bill Gates there are 3 keys to success... Read More

Your First Step to Success ? Eliminate Inner Obstacles

Think back to a time in your life when you... Read More