Every goal or resolution you make starts out with high expectations, excitement about the expected results and a strong will to succeed. All too often, that initial exuberance is coupled with a negative voice inside your head that hands you an itemized list of exactly why you cannot do what you want to do and why you are doomed to failure if you try. It’s vital that you fight back against that voice. You can’t ignore it and hope it goes away without some effort on your part.
First of all, you have to acknowledge that voice for what it is. Sure, there may be logical reasons why your goal is overly ambitious and ultimate success may be a struggle. That’s okay. Big goals can produce big rewards. You can’t fight back against an enemy you won’t acknowledge. Take a good, hard look at what that negative voice is saying to you. If any of the negativity is grounded in reality, use that knowledge to figure out logical ways to cope.
Kill that negative voice with kindness. Practice telling yourself positive affirmations and giving yourself all the reasons why success is definitely within your grasp. If you were strong enough to set the goal in your head to begin with, you are strong enough to attack the negative thoughts that assail you. The best response to a negative thought is to counter it with two positive ones.
Eliminate negative words from your vocabulary. There should be no such thing as can’t or won’t when it comes to pursuing your goal. Similarly, avoid telling yourself you must do this, or you should do that. Instead, focus on what you can do, you will do, or you want to do. Approach everything with enthusiasm and an expectation of success.
Focus on the end result. If you can visualize it, you are more likely to achieve your goal. Always hone in on how success will look. Never focus on defeat. If defeat is coming your way, it will find you. You don’t need to go looking for it.
Speak your positive words out loud. Don’t just think good thoughts, shout them for all the world to hear. Let everyone around you know you are expecting success. You may be surprised to find help from outside sources when others know what you are trying to achieve.
Use that inner negative voice to your advantage to make you stronger. Listen to those defeating words and stand up to them. Use the negativity as a tool to build a stronger resolve. The negative voice can be your friend if it makes you focus.
The negative voice in your head can be the result of many things. It can stem from childhood discouragement from parents. It may just be the result of an overall pessimistic personality that seeks the darker side of every situation. Whatever the source of the negative voice, it’s important to tackle it and make it work to your advantage.
