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Key Point
You are what you think. You feel what
you want.
Why Think Positively?
All of our feelings, beliefs and knowledge are
based on our internal thoughts, both conscious and subconscious. We
are in control, whether we know it or not.
We can be positive or negative, enthusiastic
or dull, active or passive.
The biggest difference between people is their
attitudes. For some, learning is enjoyable and exciting. For others,
learning is a drudgery. For many, learning is just okay, something
required on the road to a job.
Aim high and do your
best
"Most folks are about as happy as they
make
up their minds to be."
Abraham
Lincoln
Our present attitudes are habits, built from the
feedback of parents, friends, society and self, that form our
self-image and our world-image.
These attitudes are maintained by the inner
conversations we constantly have with ourselves, both consciously
and subconsciously.
The first step in changing our attitudes is to change
our inner conversations.
What Should We Be
Saying?
One approach is called the three C's: Commitment,
Control and Challenge.
Commitment
Make a positive commitment to
yourself, to learning, work, family, friends, nature, and other
worthwhile causes. Praise yourself and others. Dream of success. Be
enthusiastic.
Control
Keep your mind focused on important
things. Set goals and priorities for what you think and do.
Visualize to practice your actions. Develop a strategy for dealing
with problems. Learn to relax. Enjoy successes. Be honest with
yourself.
Challenge
Be courageous. Change and improve
each day. Do your best and don't look back. See learning and change
as opportunities. Try new things. Consider several options. Meet new
people. Ask lots of questions. Keep track of your mental and
physical health. Be optimistic.
Studies show that people with these characteristics are
winners in good times and survivors in hard times.
Research shows that,
"... people who begin
consciously to modify their inner conversations and assumptions
report an almost immediate improvement in their performance. Their
energy increases and things seem to go better ..."
Commitment, control and challenge help build self-esteem
and promote positive thinking. Here are some other
suggestions.
7 Suggestions for Building
Positive Attitudes
- In every class, look for positive people to associate
with.
- In every lecture, look for one more interesting idea.
- In every chapter, find one more concept important to you.
- With every friend, explain a new idea you've just learned.
- With every teacher, ask a question.
- With yourself, keep a list of your goals, positive thoughts
and actions.
- Remember, you are what you think, you
feel what you
want.
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