Those who cultivate Power, Identify with Power. Those who cultivate failure, Identify with failure.
– Tao Te Ching, No. 23
You should exercise unrelenting discipline over your thought patterns. Cultivate only productive attitudes… You are the product of everything you put into your body and mind.
Which statement below provides you with hope, motivation, courage, confidence, and excitement?
I am an over-the-hill, no-good, out-of-shape, pitiful loser who does not deserve to be here (at the gym) with all these lean and toned fitness enthusiasts. I am just not meant to exercise.
I am a strong, vibrant, talented, physically fit winner who deserves the chance to be the best, reaching all of my health and fitness goals. I am perfectly capable of completing my exercise program.
We have all experienced a time in our lives when the first statement repeated over and over in our minds. Next time this statement enters your mind, stop it! You have the Power and control to stop negative thoughts, and replace them positive, uplifting words.
To replace negative self-talk with positive thoughts, create a list of each negative self-talk comment and change this comment to the opposite. For instance:
“I don’t have enough talent” to “I have abundance of talent.”
“I’m too slow, too short, or too heavy” to “I’m fast, tall enough, with the perfect weight.”
“I’m a failure” to “I’m a success.”
“I always choke in tough situations” to “I always get up for tough situations.”
“I don’t deserve to be here” to “I deserve to be here.”
“I’m not good enough” to “I’m more than good enough.”
Create an image in your mind as you repeat each positive affirmation to validate its meaning – feel the love… the passion… own it!
We all have positive qualities and attributes, but often fail to give ourselves credit for them to avoid appearing conceited. The result? We believe we are less than we are!
Create a list of 5 personal attributes or qualities that define you as they relate to each of the following 5 areas of life: physical, spiritual, professional, emotional, and social. Choose one attribute or quality from each category, and create a positive affirmation to repeat to yourself each day.
The exercises above will help you eliminate negative self-criticism from your daily life, and adopt a positive and meaningful existence.
Al Huang, C. & Lynch, J (1992). Thinking Body Dancing Mind: Tao Sports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Train for Life 