The Red Cup Fill Up

In Napoleon Hill's book 'Think and Grow Rich' he tells the story of Edwin C Barnes, partner of Thomas Edison. Edwin started out as just a boy with a dream to work with Edison, not just a dream a burning desire Napoleon notes. When Edwin first decided this, he had two problems, no money and he did not know Edison. Edwin being the determined man that he was took a freight train to East Orange, New Jersey and presented himself to Edison. He told Edison he was there to go into business with him and Edison noted his air of determination. He gave Edwin a job sweeping floors, which he gladly took. He used the time to learn everything he could about Edison and held fast to his determination and belief that he would be Edison's partner. One day an opportunity presented itself with Edison's new invention the Dictating Machine. Edison's sales team were less than enthusiastic about the machine and did believe it could be sold. Edwin listened and new he could sell the machine and told Edison as much. He got the chance and sold it so successfully that Edison have him a contract to distribute and market it. The business alliance proved to be a long lasting and fruitful operation that made Edwin rich.

Edwin never wavered in his thought that he would be Edison's partner. He willed it and saw it and brought it to fruition. He kept his mind free of negative thinking believing only in the positive outcome of being Edison's partner. Napoleon notes that he proved you can "Think and Grow Rich" This is true of many successful people over the years. They believed they could, and they did. They didn't let setbacks or slow starts deter them from their goal and neither did Edwin Barnes. Believe you will do what you want and never give that up and you will succeed.

Think your way to success. Do you want that promotion? Believe it is yours and go get it. Do you want to own your own business? See it before you as fact and watch positive forces attract success. You are only limited by your own mind. Your will and determination can dictate your outcomes and lead you to success. It seems so simple. Could it really be that easy? It isn't easy! You must hold fast to the believe it will happen even through the slow starts and setbacks. Never lose focus. That can be hard in the face of perceived failure. See every setback or failure as a way to learn and you will grow from that.

Keep your mind on your goal and believe in positive things. Your mindset can change your future. Are you ready?

Do you live your life wondering what if? Do you wonder if something bad will happen if you take action? This stops a lot of people from experiencing life, learning new things, and discovering new pleasures. Think about something you want to do and then think of the worst thing that could happen. Next, think of the most positive thing that could occur if you take action. How likely would something bad happen? If it did how would handle it? Could you get past it and still have the experience? These types of questions guide us to insights into why we choose to act in certain ways and what we can discover to change our mindset.

Asking questions helps us discover what is most important and if how we think is even rational. We discover things that hold us back and how to get past them. That fear process could be the very thing that is telling you not to try coaching because it is unknown. Do I have the time? Can I spend the money? Can I really change anything? Ask yourself these questions and really look inside for the answers. I bet you can find the time when you are obsessing over something that might happen. I bet you can find the money when you realize how important making a change is and that you will have help and guidance to do it.

Every situation we find ourselves in is a direct reflection of a decision we made. So make a new decision that will affect your future in a positive way. Take that risk to get the life you want. I bet you will look back and wonder why you waited so long. I can help you to find what it is that needs to change and why. Together we can gain insight into

the why and determine a way to change. That change starts with you and how you think. Let's get together and discover how.

I talk about positive thinking a lot. I and other wellness coaches, mental health experts and mindset gurus preach embrace the power of positive thinking and watch your life change. But let's be realistic for a moment, it is easy to teach positive thinking but it is difficult putting them into practice for most of us. Myself included.

I have read all the self-help books, studied the meditation mindsets, and follow the mindset coaches in my journey to a better life. I took in all the bubbly think positive messages, manifest good things and they will happen. And I sat there thinking this is all a load of bullshit. I spent most of my days thinking I was broken because I didn't get it.

My inner thoughts were stuck in a negative black hole. When bad things happened my go-to was "this always happens to me" or "why do bad things keep happening" and my personal favorite was "I'm a magnet for bad luck". I couldn't seem to catch a break. I was feeling angry and fed up, I wanted a change. When I started reading about positive thinking I was skeptical. I didn't think I could change a lifetime of negative outcomes with some positive thoughts.

When I dove into the positive mindset a little deeper, I realized it wasn't just thinking positive thoughts. It was a way of looking at seemingly negative situations in a positive manner. By reframing the situation I could use it as a learning opportunity that would create future success. By doing this I stopped the "this always happens to me" loop because I was learning how to change future outcomes into successes.

I will admit I struggled in the beginning but that's normal. I kept trying and pretty soon when something negative happened I was able to reframe it into a positive learning opportunity. But more importantly, negative things seemed to happen less and less. Learning from bad experiences can prevent future negative events and gives one the ability to effectively handle bad situations with optimism. This reduces the stress and frees your thinking for coming up with positive solutions.

Those of you struggling to put this into practice can take comfort in knowing that you are alone. But the rewards you will gain from sticking with it can change your life. IF your negative thoughts creep in when you first start out it's ok, acknowledge them. Then pull that positive thought out. Keep it up for a week and you will notice positive changes in your life and your attitude.

I Just Can't Do It! Negative Thoughts That Take Over

Lia Smith

Apr 29, 2022

2 min read

#change

#changing your thinking

#mindset

#negative thinking

#struggling with mindset

#learning opportunity

#think positive