Dear <$salutation$>,

The Power of the Mind

Do you know that you can change your life - by changing the way you think?

We can think positively or negatively about any situation we find ourselves in.

We can be happy and achieve what we want if we train our minds to produce positive thoughts.

In this issue I'm going to show you some simple, practical ways to do just that.

The Positive Spiral

Positive thoughts spiral round and round, creating more positive thoughts (and our imaginations can really run with these). We end up on a high - full of fantastic ideas.

What's more, some of these ideas will translate into action. It's amazing how thinking positively about something spurs us on to do something about it.

A Powerful Way to use Positive Thinking

Here is a fine example of harnessing the power of positive thinking; let's call it Goal Strategy.

1. Set Goals

Decide on some goals which are realistic and attainable. When we set a goal and work towards it, it gives us a focus - and our minds will automatically create positive thoughts about how to reach that goal.

2. Visualise Success

You must have a true belief that you can reach your goal. An excellent way to encourage this belief is to visualise how you will feel when your goal's achieved: details such as who will be with you when you celebrate, and your feelings - joy? pride? satisfaction?

3. Break it into Steps

Write down all the steps you need to take. Small steps are believable and therefore achievable. As you write them, visualise them.

4. Go:

• Take one goal at a time
• Take one step at a time
• Take one day at a a time
• Take one week at a time

Every step takes you one step nearer to where you want to be.

The Negative Spiral

Unfortunately negative thoughts will also spiral in the mind, creating more negative thoughts. In this case, when our imaginations run away with us they can leave us feeling very low indeed.

It's hard, but we can put a stop to this. We can overpower negative thoughts.

The skill is to turn them into positives.

Overpowering Negative Thinking with Positive Thinking

1. Watch out for the baddies - spot them coming.

• Outright negative phrases: I can't do that...   I don't deserve...
• The n't words: shouldn't   couldn't  
  don't   won't   haven't   can't etc
• More subtle excuses: If only,   Because of,   I never,   I have to
• And our old friend: But

2. Here are examples of how to turn negatives around and kick them back slanted positive.

The positive thoughts on the right show confidence and responsibility.

So - start turning round any negative thoughts that come into your head. Overpowering them is hard - so practice!

It's a skill. Put in the effort to overcome negative thinking with positive and you'll reap great rewards.

Self-Successful Thinking

Watch your thoughts; they become words
Watch your words; they become actions
Watch your actions; they become habits
Watch your habits; they become character
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny

- Frank Outlaw, from Mahatma Gandhi

About Sheila

After more than twenty years in a corporate sales environment Sheila sat down to write a letter to her children. There were things she thought they should know.

The letter became a best-selling book. She was called in to discuss it on Richard and Judy, and ever since then has been in great demand giving lectures and workshops, as inspiring as they are entertaining.

Sheila has faced some of life's hardest challenges and, with courage and a determinedly positive attitude, overcome them. Now she draws on her own experiences to give others the attitudes and skills they need to deal with their difficulties and make their lives the joyous experience it can be.

Last word

I hope you've enjoyed thinking positively about positive thinking.

Next time I'll give an example of how it worked for me, and we'll be looking at how thoughts can interact with feelings.

Best wishes till then,