To Do list a mile long? Goals just a speck on a faraway horizon? Don’t crawl in bed and pull the covers over your head. When you are ready to set your goals, do it, then use these two mind-altering techniques to change the picture from negative to positive.

Affirmations

When you focus your attention on positive thoughts, called affirmations, at least once a day, you can replace negative thinking with positive thinking. Positive results come from positive thoughts and before you know it, you are achieving your dreams.  

  • Pick 2-3 simple positive statements (“I never give up” or “I get stronger every day”) and write them on cards or sticky notes. Put these where you will see them (on your bathroom mirror or the inside of your locker) and read them aloud at the same time, every day.
  • Say the affirmations as many times as you can before drifting off to sleep
  • Copy them over twenty times each in your goals journal
  • Say them as you write them on a big piece of paper taped to a wall
  • Repeat them while you are working out, swimming laps, or running on a treadmill

Whichever technique you choose, stick with it. Any awkwardness you feel at first will soon wear off. Then you'll be making your goal setting and success a reality.
They may seem goofy, but affirmations work!

Visualization

Can you daydream? Then you can visualize. Visualization is simply creating a mental picture of yourself achieving your goals. The more detailed the picture, the better. When marathon runners use this technique, for example, they “see” themselves crossing the finish line, they “hear” the roar of the crowd, and they “feel” the sweat running down their backs. 

  • Pick a quiet, comfortable spot where you won’t be interrupted
  • Before you begin your visualization, close your eyes and take some deep breaths to relax
  • Don’t worry about unrelated thoughts, if they come up, just let them float away
  • Create a mental picture of yourself achieving your goal. Use all your senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch
  • Visualize for a minute and work up to five minutes or more

With practice your picture will become more and more detailed and your goal more and more real.


Sources: it-career-coach.net; calpoly.edu; careerplanning.about.com;
timethoughts.com/timemanagement