The words we say to ourselves and the words we hear others use to describe us become the programming by which our brain directs our lives. Whether the programming was good or bad, true or false, what we have told ourselves or others have told us about ourselves becomes our reality, and that results in our adopting a particular belief. This belief sets into action a chain of events. My beliefs are reflected in my attitudes. My attitude directly impacts my feelings; my feelings determine my actions; and my actions most assuredly control my results.
For example, let’s look at the problem of losing weight. Believe me, I know it’s a problem! Whoops, there I go using negative self‑talk. As long as I tell myself it’s a problem, I will probably believe it is and react accordingly. If we believe something is going to be difficult, most of us tend to adopt a defensive attitude toward it. This attitude can be reflected in many ways, for example, anger, frustration, and a sense of failure. These feelings more than likely will result in unhealthy actions, such as starvation dieting or binging. None of these actions will give us the desired results. We need to plant a different seed in the beginning.
Just as you would not plant a watermelon seed and expect to get radishes, you cannot expect to plant a negative thought and expect to grow a positive result. Instead of saying “I can’t lose weight” when you go on a diet, two weeks before you start the diet, say over and over to yourself “I can achieve a healthy and well‑proportioned body.” This programming will be reflected in your belief, and your attitude as a result will be “can do.” With a “can do” attitude, you will have a positive feeling toward the project. As a result, the winning actions will be generated. You will achieve the healthy and well- proportioned body you desire.
Negative programming sets us up for failure. Almost all of us, if not all of us, have done it to ourselves in the past week. Here are some of the most common negative programming statements we hear and use all the time: “I can’t remember names.” “It’s going to be another one of those days.” “Today just isn’t my day.” “I’m just no good at_____.” “There’s just no way!” “Everything I touch seems to turn to manure.” OK, so I cleaned the last one up, but you get the idea. Not one of these statements starts with the premise that we deserve to or will succeed.
For the next several weeks, listen to what you are telling yourself and what you are letting others tell you. Begin to eliminate the negative programming and you will see almost immediate positive results in your life. You will be what you believe you can be.