I have decided I am throwing away one particular line of thinking and I think you should join me and throw it away too. It is causing us way more harm than good and essentially holding us back from all we can and should be accomplishing.
Today is the day to totally get rid of it because it has probably been way too long that we have allowed it be a part of the way we think.
What’s the line of thinking I am talking about?
It usually arises when we are trying to do or accomplish something. We have been making some good progress and things are beginning to line up the way we want. We can see our success because it is getting close. In fact, it is getting so close that we have even tasted little pieces of it. mmmm … how sweet it is.
We think about how great it will feel when we finally achieve what we want and what we have worked so hard for. We are getting more and more excited everyday as we take step after step in the right direction …
And, then it happens.
Whoa! Slow down. We tell ourselves we shouldn’t get too excited. We don’t want to jinx anything and we decide we are better off to not get too excited.
We don’t want to get too invested and feel too good about the situation working out, because then we will be even more disappointed if things don’t go as planned.
We hold back. Instead of allowing the good energy and positive thoughts about the situation to flow, we put a cork in our positivity pipe.
And, that is where the damage is done.
We think we are doing what is in our best interest, but really what we have done is allowed our fears and doubts to trump and come into the picture. We tell ourselves that we are hoping for the best, but because we aren’t 100% certain things will play out the way we want, we need to be realistic and prepare ourselves for whatever may happen. Sound familiar?
It is time to stop this line of thinking dead in its tracks. Why?
Because it is not working. It is not helping one single bit.
You are not really protecting or preparing yourself for anything. Let’s be real, if things don’t work out, you are not going to feel any better because you haven’t allowed yourself to get too excited. That is just not the way it works.
And, the reality is that you significantly increase the likelihood of success by being positive and seeing your success in the future. Excitement helps create positive momentum and the more of it you have, the better.
We need to envision things working out and get excited.
We need that positive energy flowing and we need to feel great about our chances of success. We want as much of that good line of thinking as possible because most likely we are going to have some doubts that need to be chipped away at.
We need the good thoughts to outweigh the bad ones and our excitement and positive thinking about the situation can and should overshadow any uncertainties we may have about our success.
So, that is why today is the day.
- No more holding back on being excited. Let it all rush in and take over your mind. Get as excited as you can and relish in the thoughts of your success.
- Envision your success. See yourself getting what you want and things working out as you desire.
- Think about how great you will feel when you are successful. All of your hard work will have finally paid off and how great will that be? Yes … Finally!
- Anytime you even think about holding back on your excitement or thoughts of success, stop and remind yourself that not only is it okay, but that you need to feel excited and positive about the situation because you are increasing the likelihood of success.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
Sibyl – Thank you for the great lesson.
Just this week I had taken two different opportunities with friends of mine share with them my excitement about future opportunities with them. I asked them to think outside of the box with me. In fact, the phrase “all in” was used to describe the level of commitment offered. As I shared I not only sensed my own excitement but it felt extremely liberating to simply put it all out there and realize that whatever happens is okay. The response of one of my friends was that my passion is what continues to inspire him.
This culminates for me by reading your article. Thanks for the affirmation!
Mark: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I totally agree with what you said that we do have to be all in and then feel as positively as we can about the likelihood of our success. That really is what it is all about. Thanks again Mark for the comment and for stopping by.
Great post!
That is so true.
We talk lots about goal setting, living in the moment, being there already.
But then we hold ourselves back, we don’t want to jinx success.
Why is that?
You are very right when you say that you should use any positive momentum you can.
Thanks a lot!
Hey Daniel: It is so true that we do that. It is time to break the cycle
Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by. Always appreciated.
Great advice. It’s easy to get stymied with self-doubt just as you’re reaching the finish line. Far better to push ahead with positive energy. Thanks for your wise words.
Totally agree. It is all about pushing ahead and riding whatever momentum you have going for you. Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by.
While there’s truth in the saying don’t count your chickens before they hatch, there’s a lot of power and momentum in excitement.
That is so true … there is so much power isn’t there. I think that is a wave worth riding and all we have to do is jump on board. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
Sibyl,
I knew that was you in the window watching me! It all makes sense now. You write your posts based upon my toxic personality traits.
What is funny is this is actually something I do all the time and never realized the actual impact it has on my result. From this day on, after the one I just did before I read this post. I vow to try not to doubt myself as I near the completion of my projects. Now I need to find a way to get near completion of one of my many projects. lol! Great post.
That’s right Frank. No more doubting yourself. Keep moving forward and there is no way you will not reach your goal. Glad that I touched on a topic that was helpful for you.
Hi Sibyl,
I love this post! Yes, I experience this too often. I have been applying this principle for the past year or so, but I still fall back sometime, but I’m sure as I keep practicing I will master it.
For me personally, I remind myself to create harmony with the situation and depend on God. I trust and have faith in God that he will give me the best and everything I want. When I do this, doubt and fear seem to subside and I enjoy the moment and then I end up with having high energy. Great post my friend 
Dia: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I think it is important to have an approach and something you can rely on. Thanks so much for sharing yours. That is a really great one. Have a great weekend.
Sibyl,
Great advice. Why do we all do that to ourselves? It’s as if we can’t believe that we will have a successful outcome so we want to protect ourselves from disappointment, right? I’m done with doing that! I say, “go for the gusto from now on!
I know right … isn’t it kind of crazy. I am with you though and I say it is time to leave that habit and fear behind. It is past time to move forward
Hi Sibyl,
After about 30 minutes of sitting here with this post open thinking over what I could add in a response, this came “top of mind”…
Years ago, when I was a teenager my parents who were Antiques Dealers received a telephone call from a prospective seller. They were informed that they had to come to the seller’s apartment as soon as possible. It sounded like a really good lead…so they asked me to come along and we immediately went. Upon entering the apartment we met the seller and also another Antiques Dealer. This other dealer was able to arrive quicker and buy everything due to the fact that he did not wait when he got the call, plus he lived only a matter of blocks away.
The seller was Sol Price. For you who do not know…Sol Price was the founder of Fed Mart, and then Price Club, which was sold and formed into Costco.
Sol Price had a vision, but was ‘cash poor’ when he called to sell his fantastic antique walking stick collection that day. All his chips were in (except the collection) to start up Price Club!
Yes, that day we were a bit disappointed, but we knew there would be another day when the timing and circumstances would work out better for us.
When you really look at it…the *experience* of being there that day and personally witnessing what a highly successful businessman will do…how he did not ‘hold back’ was a lesson worth more than the walking stick collection.
Thanks Sibyl for this…
Rand: Great story and it really goes to the heart of this post. It is all about expecting the best and making certain that you have the right perspective if things don’t work out exactly as planned. Thanks for the comment and the story.
Hmm this is a very interesting strategy. I actually used to think like this, but after a couple of disappointments in my life I felt I needed to “tone down” my optimism.
How do you balance this with being disappointed constantly? Doesn’t this eventually lead to a loss of morale and possible depression?
Sibyl…I don’t do this too often, but I believe this may answer Henway’s questions to a degree:
Hi Henway, I would like to add this later event in Sol Price’s success story.
After he went on to create Price Club, Mr. Price had a bitter court battle with his own son…you see even with the success of your dream there can be a ‘disappointing’ ‘price’ to pay.
Success goes hand in hand with failure…believe me I know as in my life there has been great mountain heights achieved and terrible deep ravines fallen into…this is simply life.
And so it is the *simple* things of life that will substain us day to day. Add a bit of “self love” (see Sibyl’s Charlie Sheen post), and it is not so bad to take the set backs because *yes* there will be another day! God willing…
Thank you Sibyl
Thanks for jumping in Rand
Thanks for the comment Henway. I think that being optimistic is definitely the way to go. The key is that you also have to manage your disappointment and make certain you have the right perspective if things don’t work out as you planned. I am a big believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason and for your highest good so if things don’t go as planned, it means you should probably take a step back and really look at the situation … it may not be as bad as you initially think or it may be preparing you for success in the future. Hope that helps.
Hi Sibyl,
Fear can certainly stop us dead in our tracks when we let it invade our positive energy. We just need to put the smackdown on fear and send it packin.
Smackdown on fear … I love that
It is so true.
Your post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from A Course in Miracles. In fact, I’ve probably included it in a comment before. But it seems so relevant, I’ll do it again! “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” I think we hold back sometimes because we are afraid of our own power, perhaps because we are afraid of the responsbility that goes with it. My foster daughter repeatedly sabotages herself on the brink of success. She said something so revealing once when I was exasperated with her. She said she did not really want to succeed because then she would have to “grow up.” Another example is a friend who is looking for a job, but she has so little confidence about her skills, even though her skills are quite good. She admitted to me that she was really afraid to get a job because she thought she didn’t really have anything to offer. So you see, you have hit on something that many people can relate to. I think a lot of readers will see themselves in what you have written and they will be inspired to push through to success!
Thanks for the comment Galen and the quote from Course In Miracles. That book is definitely one of my favorites and I love that you brought that quote top of mind for me. It really is a good one. What you said is so true … self sabotage really can hold us back. It is all about getting ourselves to that point where we really know and believe in our true ability. Thanks for the comment.
Sibyl,
Success can be achieved while we are having fun. I have come to realized that many things I achieved in my life, was at spur of moment, I had not given so much thought on it but simply following my heart and having fun! and it has continued till now.
One can not fake excitement, it has be something you love. Do it and it will follow. Worse case, you had fun anyways.
Preeti
I’m definitely a believer in letting go of this line of thinking. I think that holding on to that failure mentality (which is truly what it is) plays a significant role in keeping us away from our dreams. If you’re ever to achieve ABC, you can’t keep emitting the vibration consistent with lack of ABC. It’s so simple, yet so difficult at the same time.
Nea: That is so true. It is so simple, and seems so obvious, but definitely something that we have to work toward perfecting everyday. Our minds have a way of running away from us if we let them. It is really important to choose what we are going to focus on and make certain we are concentrating on those things that will move us in the direction we desire.
For you success at the moment Sibyl, for me life. I’ve just started being excited by life once again – not just the clear resonance of the seasons or friends and loved ones, but the sheer spark each day includes and the myriad of wonderful simple joys that await us outside our door every single day from possibility to awe inspiring surprises. Yes, life is exciting and I love it. To your success Sibyl, I’m excited for you!
John: Thanks so much for the comment and the encouragement. I agree with you that life is all about being able to embrace those great moments and really experience what it means to be happy and grateful for everything that comes your way. It is so great to hear that you are being excited once again by life.
This is huge Sibyl, thanks for posting this. When we’re creating our reality, it’s easy to forget that all of our energy goes into that creation, including the fear and doubt we feel, so it’s important to remain mindful and deliberately positive. You rock!
You Rock too
It really is just as you said … it is so important to remain mindful and deliberately positive. That really is how you positively shape your reality and your future. Thanks so much Pete for stopping by and thanks for the comment.
Hi Sibyl,
Sabotaging self talk has a lot to answer for. Why do we do it? Sometimes ‘success” is too daunting, achievement too hard to contemplate….that’s sad.
I’m with you…….get excited!
Thanks for this post
Be good to yourself
David
David: So glad to hear you are joining me. It is all about getting excited and expecting the best. What do we really have to lose? Thanks so much for the comment.
I love your energy and enthusiasm Sibyl, it is radiating through this article. Fully participating in life means no holding back… it is a shedding process… removing those false coverings that keep us bound up. Nothing could be more natural than to allow our Authentic Self to shine through, yet we find we myriad ways to stuff it with thoughts of doubt and lack.
Thanks for the kind words Rob. I appreciate the feedback. I really appreciated what you said … it is so true that it is a shedding process and we have to do away with those things that are holding us back. Thanks for the comment and stopping by Rob.
Great perspective! It really is a challenge when we get excited about a project or endeavor, to maintain that level of excitement. We really are superstitious people. We find all sorts of things to worry about instead of focusing our time and energy on what we can control…our efforts.
Thanks for this great reminder!
Steve: Thanks for the comment and I think your last sentence says it all. We should focus our time and energy on what we can control and that is the effort we are putting in. It is time to let the superstitions go. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Sibyl,
your message resonates with me. Last summer one of my business endeavor was going extremely well. At first, I was excited, but then I thought that I shouldn’t get too excited. That was a mistake.
As you say, I felt I shouldn’t get too invested and feel too good about the situation working out, because then I would be even more disappointed if things didn’t go as planned.
And that was the mistake. I did not allow the good energy and positive thoughts about the situation to flow. So, today, I am following these very important steps:
1. No more holding back on being excited.
2. I am a envisioning my success.
3. I am thinking about how great I will feel when I am successful.
4. I determine I need to feel excited and positive about the situation because I am increasing the likelihood of success.
Matthew: Thanks for the great comment and that is exactly the approach you need to create the good things that are just waiting to come your way. No more worrying about jinxing yourself or holding back on being excited. Just know it will all work out for the best and believe in that. I am glad you are joining me with this new outlook
Hi Sibyl,
I been there and done that and this way of thinking still has a way of “creeping” back into my mind. Without excitement we probably wouldn’t accomplish much in life and as a result our life would get stagnant.
I believe that positive energy is what allows us to create things in the first place. I enjoyed reading your post because it is a valuable reminder to monitor our in-conscious thoughts.
Hey Justin: Thanks so much for the comment and dropping by. I think what you said is so important and right on point. It really is all about having positive energy that will allow us to create and open ourselves to all the great things that are ready to come our way.
Hi Sibyl,
Nothing encourages you more than a vision of achievement, and a rushing sense of arrival! Funny how our negativity sometimes literally robs us of the price, and amazing how we can really bounce off every situation even though it doesn’t turn out as planned!
… The human mind is a powerful tool and we need to harness it’s possibilities in helping to create who we want to be!!
Thanks for sharing
Tyna: Thanks so much for the comment. Isn’t it crazy how our negativity can just sneak up on us and really hold us back without us even realizing it. You are so right that the human mind is a powerful tool and one that we need to make certain we are using in the right way. Thanks again for the comment.
Sibyl,
Thanks for the great post. This is my first time reading and I must say this was very valuable.
This has happened to me too many times. I’ll think of a great idea and get really amped up about it and than five minutes later, I’ll be thinking about all the reasons it won’t work instead of just going for it and making it happen. I will definitely remember these 4 steps next time doubt shows it’s ugly face. Thanks for the great post!
Aaron: Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the comment. I know exactly what you are talking about because I honestly used to do the same thing as well. It is definitely something we have to work through, but once we do we really free ourselves to accomplish so much more. So glad that you liked the post and thanks again for the comment. Much appreciated.
wow i really love you all your points are exactly what i needed to know to get rid of bad days i made for myself thank you soooooooo much
So glad you liked the post Neda and found the points helpful:) Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to let me know.