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Self-help books, movies and podcasts abound. Maybe you've read or heard about "The Power of Positive Thinking", the "Law of Attraction" or "The Secret". The authors of these works claim that by changing our thoughts we can change our lives. Yes, while positive thinking is an important step in creating a successful life, one in which you attain more, accomplish more and feel better while doing it, it is not the only prerequisite to having a completely fulfilling and satisfying life.
These self-help movies must have sequels, and the books, epilogues. That final chapter, if you will, is called ‘Positive Action'. Mere thoughts will not bring you the change in life that you seek. Imagine you're sitting on a rock over- looking the ocean, gazing at the water and boats passing by, thinking about your love life, your job, your children, your weight issues or your medical problems, and affirming your need to change or improve certain aspects. Will your problems improve or disappear as a result of all those positive thoughts? NO, NO, NO! For that to occur, that thought must prompt you to take action.
The following five steps outline how you can advance from simple believing or reflecting on positive thoughts to undertaking concrete and positive actions.
Positive Action #1: Write down your thoughts
Writing down your thoughts is the first step toward manifesting your ideas, dreams or goals. It is an ACTION and, perhaps, one of the hardest steps for people to take as they begin to move towards realizing their goals. Use the acronym ‘SMART' to help describe your goal or idea.
S- Specific
M- Measurable
A-Attainable
R- Realistic
T-Timely
How do I use SMART? Be very SPECIFIC as you describe your objective. Instead of writing "Lose weight", write "Lose 20 pounds in six months, by X date". Make sure your goal can be MEASURED. In this same example, you can measure success by how much weight you lose each week. Is your goal ATTAINABLE and REALISTIC? Yes, losing 20 pounds in six months equates to losing about a pound a week. However, setting a goal of losing 50 pounds in four weeks is NOT realistic, and therefore is subject to failure. This same goal of losing 20 pounds is TIMELY if you are overweight, have health issues and your doctor has told you to lose weight; it is probably not be timely if your height and weight are proportional and you are in excellent health.
Using SMART helps you to clearly envision your goal, and gives you a blueprint for moving forward. So, write down your goals and thoughts. This positive action is a step in the right direction. BE SMART!
Positive Action #2: Share your ideas, goals and thoughts with someone else
Once you've documented your goal using the SMART guidelines, Positive Action #2 is to tell someone about it. This takes effort but the results are powerful. You see, when you share, it makes you accountable. In addition to sharing verbally, you will also want to take physical action as follow through to what you've told people in order to demonstrate that you are taking steps toward reaching your goal.
The more people you share your goal with, the better. Enlist the help and support of friends and family alike. Ask them to occasionally check in on you, to make sure you're working toward meeting your objective. Success is all but guaranteed when you take this action. Going to work will be difficult when you know your closest friend is going to ask you how things are going and you have no update. If you can't answer or you are unable to give your spouse, in-law or even your children an update on your progress, you will be disappointing more than just yourself. Most of us do what is necessary to avoid letting others down. So, TELL, TELL, TELL!
Positive Action #3: Post visual reminders around the house
For Positive Action #3, write your thoughts and goals on index cards or sticky notes and post them in obvious locations around your house. This will give you visible reminders of what it is you are trying to accomplish. Seeing these reminders around the house will help keep you focused on your goals. What happens if you lapse? You may decide to remove that little slip of paper, that small symbol of your larger objective, because you're feeling it is no longer important enough to sit on your dresser or hang on your refrigerator. But think: the conscious effort on your part of taking it down represents defeat. LEAVE IT THERE! Leave that slip of paper up and read it again and again! There will always be days when we fall off the horse, when all we want is to stay in bed and hide under the covers. Don't! Get back on that horse and ride. Ride until you have reached the finish line. It's ok to take a break and allow yourself an occasional rest, but always get back on and ride. If you SEE IT, you will DO IT!
Positive Action #4: Write yourself a letter
Imagine you are at the end of your journey and have reached your goal. Write yourself a letter in which you describe exactly what 'the end' looks like, what it feels like and everything you went through to arrive at your goal. As an example, if my goal was to save enough money to buy a house, I would write a letter to myself that goes something like this,
Dear Coach Ty,
I had to take a moment to tell you how overwhelmed with emotion I am at this very moment. I'm sitting in the doorway of my brand new home. I wish you were here to see me. It is such a beautiful house. It's the size, style and price that I was looking for. Now my family can grow and enjoy each other here.
My kids now have a backyard they can play in without me being worried about where they are. They both have their own rooms now, and can invite friends over to play. I wish you were here to see their faces when I showed them around; they both looked so happy and my heart was full of happiness to have them look at me and my wife and tell us thank you.
My wife can now have her own little office to manage the charity work she's involved in. She has enough space to do the laundry; I used to hate seeing her go up and down the stairs to the laundry room in our old apartment building. She loves the kitchen and is happy we finally have our own bathroom. Of course she would have traded everything just to have that walk in closet she always dreamed of!
We now have enough space where we can both spend plenty of time together and have much- needed (and well-deserved) time alone. I have space for my office too, and enough extra space to entertain and have friends over. The two-car garage is perfect because our next goal is to buy a second car. I cannot forget to mention that I finally have a MAN ROOM…yes, a men-only space with all types of man toys: sports stuff, video games, a pool table and a full bar.
WOW, when I look back at what it took to get here, I'm just so grateful that I always maintained a positive attitude and took the steps needed to see to it that this dream was realized for both me and my family. Again, this is one of the happiest days of my life, and although it wasn't an easy road to travel, every hurdle was worth the trouble of what I'm feeling right now!
Yours truly,
Coach Ty Brown
Your letter should describe the outcome as you envision it. Describe the feeling of reaching your objective. Explain why it's important to you to reach your goal. Acknowledge the hardships it took to achieve that goal! This exercise really works – it is positive action. And, when that inevitable lapse occurs, just pull out this letter and re-read it! It is sure to help you get back up on that horse and continue riding.
Positive Action #5: Review your objectives weekly
Review your letter and outline all the steps you will need to take in order to arrive at the finish line and make your goal a reality. Plan how you will accomplish each step from week to week. Every Sunday, plan your task(s) for the upcoming week to ensure you are one step closer at the end of that week.
If necessary, pull yourself over to the side of the road while on this journey. Refuel and check your map to make sure you are traveling in the right direction. You may need to reassess your chosen route and change course slightly. That's o.k. Just look for alternate routes that get you to the same finish line. Remember, detours and short cuts will not work. The best road to success is sometimes the one that looks the bumpiest! And, as you see concrete results, you will be convinced that this course of action works, as even the smallest indicator of success or achievement will keep you on track.
When you consistently engage in positive thinking and also apply these five action steps, two things will happen: You will see your dreams and goals become reality, and you will see a shift in your life unlike any other. Not only will you claim these guiding principles as your own, but you will also begin to advocate this practice to others. Those around you will have observed how you've changed and grown just by seeing you smile more and noticing how you walk with a new bounce in your step. Your enthusiasm will be apparent and infectious. Friends and family will know what you've achieved and want to enjoy similar success. You have learned that positive thoughts lead to positive action which leads to results. You can now share your knowledge with others that positive action is the key to life! Enjoy!
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