"I realize the dominating part of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves into outwards, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality."
– Napoleon Hill
What I would like to talk to you about today is a habit that I have developed over the last few months. One that I've never told anyone about, because I know they wouldn't understand.
You know, if anyone found out about this they would probably think I'm crazy, send me to a therapist and have me locked up in a mental institution thinking I'm a madman. But since you are a reader of this blog, I know that you will understand.
That's why I'm going to share it with you.
Before I tell you what this habit is, I would like you to promise me one thing: while you're reading this article keep an open mind, that's all I ask. Deal?
So what is this "weird" habit?
I talk to myself aloud, every single day.
You know, I actually wouldn't blame people if they thought I was crazy. I mean, most people don't talk to themselves aloud, now do they?
The way I see it talking to yourself is like fire: It can warm yourself and the people around you, or it can be a terrible tool for destruction. It all depends on how you use it.
In a way it's very similar to self talk.
Talking to yourself is something that a lot of successful entrepreneurs do and is also referred to as auto-suggestion. If you have read Think and Grow Rich, you will know that auto-suggestion is one of the 13 core principles for success according to Napoleon Hill.
"Nut" so crazy now, huh?
If you would just forgive me for that little word joke (which I thought was pretty punny) I'll explain to you how auto-suggestion works and how you can use it to create your own success, whatever your goal may be.
So what is auto-suggestion?
To explain to you how your mind works I'll tell you a story. Now imagine this:
You are going through the jungle in the Amazon. As you are walking through this amazing jungle, you stumble upon a dead end. In front of you is a ravine and as you look down, you see that it's about 300 feet deep. You think that there is no way around, but then, a little farther away you see a bridge.
As you walk closer to this bridge, you notice that it doesn't look very stable. You freeze. You need to go forward, but the only way is over this bridge. You start getting scared and begin talking to yourself: "Oh my God, this is too much – I can never make it. I don't think I can go on like this."
Remember the fire I talked about earlier? Well, you just burned your fingers on the fire that's called auto-suggestion. To elaborate further:
By saying to yourself that you cannot do it, you were actually telling your unconscious mind that you cannot. Remember the quote at the beginning of this article? Whatever you tell yourself consciously, will also be soaked in by your unconscious mind.
Now if on the other hand, you told yourself: I can do this, I can do this, I can really do this. You are giving a completely different signal to your unconscious mind, and as a result, you will have the confidence to cross that bridge.
Before I go into how you can use this to reach your goals, I'd like you to read this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't
If you like to win, but think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with the fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself,
Before you can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who win,
Is the man who thinks he can.
It's amazing how a couple of words can have such an impact, right? Words can't even begin to describe the feeling of empowerment I felt when I first read that poem. This is just one of the breakthroughs I had while reading Think and Grow Rich. And yes, I'm a huge fan of the book, as it literally completely changed my life.
I knew while reading that book that I was going to be successful, no matter what. No longer did I have any dreams for the future, I just have my future, with only time separating me from it!
How to use auto-suggestion to reach your goals
I know for fact, auto-suggestion has made both madmen as well as millionaires. And Napoleon Hill was convinced of that too, it's one of the core principles of success. If used right (like the fire), that is.
So let me tell you how I put this to use for myself:
I started out by writing down My Major Definite Purpose, my goal, my burning desire, the first step towards success. Everything, and I mean literally everything, starts with your desire to change something!
You can see My Major Definite Purpose by clicking here. Feel free to use it as a guideline to craft your own.
Now what did I do?
There is one more key element that you need… FAITH. I don't mean the kind of faith like religion, there's nothing wrong with that, but in this case I mean faith in yourself, the fate that you are capable of achieving Your Major Definite Purpose.
Now think back to you standing on the edge near that bridge. When you kept telling yourself you could do it, you could. At that point unconsciously your mind was telling you to cross the damn bridge.
I use auto-suggestion the very same way, I use it in a way that makes my unconscious mind tell me to move in the direction of my goals. Because any desire that I persistently hold in the back of my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining it.
That's why I keep repeating My Major Definite Purpose every morning before I get out of bed and every night before go to sleep. Even at night I listen to the recording of my voice. Over and over and over again.
The results?
One of the goals I set for myself (as you can read) is a monetary goal, and although I'm not at that point yet, I made the first step, by making my very first sale, ever! Now, I am 100% convinced that this would have never happened without developing my mindset through auto-suggestion.
If you take anything from this article, let it be this:
You can achieve everything that you desire, if you persistently keep telling yourself you can! Don't be concerned about looking like a madman, for we both know the habit you're starting is that of a millionaire.
I believe in you!
But that literally means nothing; you have to believe in yourself before you can ever win a prize. Got it memorized? Now let there be no doubt in your mind that one can think and grow rich.
My final words
If you love yourself, and you want the best for yourself and follow these steps:
1. Write down Your Major Definite Purpose. In writing this make sure you avoid words like want or like, instead use words like will, thereby, programming in your mind that you will achieve your goal.
2. Start hammering your unconscious mind until your goals are stuck in there, and then barricade all ways it could ever get out. It's time for you to start moving in the right direction, and keep on going until you reach your goal, which you will!
3. Don't forget to include the "Self-Confidence Formula" in Your Major Definite Purpose, as this is an important part. You can find it in my personal document, here.
This is the point where you will write your own story, the way you want it to be. But before you go, I'd like to ask you one thing: What is it that you are going to achieve in your life? Would you be kind enough to let me know in the comments below?
To your success,
Maikel Michiels