Changing our day-to-day behaviors may be easier than previously imagined. By meditating on and repeating motivational and inspirational quotes, we are better prepared to change our thought patterns, behaviors and in turn, change our lives.
Here’s how it’s done.
If we believe something to be easy, we find little, if any struggle in accomplishing it. However, if we imagine something to be difficult to accomplish, then our struggle becomes more apparent. In fact, if we imagine that it is difficult to change a specific behavior, then we will always find experiences that will justify that belief.
Take this for example. We wake up one morning and decide that:
“This is the day I start losing weight. When things get difficult, I will not reach for junk food, but instead I will focus on something else to keep my mind occupied. It’ll be tough at first, but I’m going to give it a try.”
If you continue with this thought pattern and belief, don’t be surprised to find yourself struggling more often than not. Why?
If we look at this example closely we find a couple of thought patterns and beliefs already in place. We have determined to do something good for ourselves, but we do ourselves a disservice by choosing certain negative thought patterns, beliefs and words that go along with it.
We have said,
“When things get difficult….”
(This is already assuming that there will be difficult moments! Strike one!)
“It’ll be tough at first…”
(This is already assuming it will be difficult at first! Strike two!)
“…but I’m going to give it a try.”
(Remember the movie “The Karate Kid”…”There is no “try”, there is only “do”. Strike three!)
Now there are hundreds of products out there that will assist people in losing weight. Some, if not all of them, may work for various people at various stages of their goal. But for many people who have convinced themselves that losing weight is difficult, some products may fall short when our thought patterns are stronger than our desire to change.
Here is something that my friend has done to change a behavior he no longer desired.
He lost 20 lbs in about 12 weeks. He didn’t like the way he looked, felt or even thought for that matter. He needed to change and take some action towards it.
First, he realized that he had to change his way of thinking about losing weight. His old thought patterns were no longer working for him. His thoughts were like little tiny pictures that he projected in his mind of how heavy he was. He no longer wanted these pictures or thought patterns a part of his life. He had to choose a thought pattern and belief that would be easier to think about.
He chose this thought,
“Losing weight is easier than I thought.”
Perhaps not the most ideal for everyone, but it worked for me.
Let’s continue with Step #2 and #3 to Daily Success.
Choose a word you want to focus on for that day, week or month to help you in accomplishing your goal.
(Start with just a day, or just an hour for that matter. Keep it simple.)
The word you choose need to be in relation to the change you want to make.
Remember my friend Ray who succeeded in losing 20 lbs in 12 weeks. He chose the word “FOCUS”, as he felt that that’s what he needed to think about most of the time; focusing more on losing weight than gaining it. Choose any word as long as it relates to your situation. (Attitude, Energy, Action, Believe …)
Following that, Ray scoured the Internet for motivational and inspirational quotes that resonated within him that related to that specific word he chose. Quotes that he could remember, especially ones that really spoke to what he wanted to accomplish.
But here’s the most important part that Ray told me:
“I needed quotes that were powerful enough to change my thought patterns the moment I read them. Quotes that REALLY spoke to me when my eyes fell upon them. Quotes that forced me to pause and think for a moment. Quotes that had that extra “edge” where my mind said, “Yes. This is one.”
These were all signs of a quote that held power for me. I “focused” on the following quotes.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” Buddha
“The only way to discover the limits of the possible, is to go beyond them into them impossible.” Arthur C Clarke
“It’s not what you achieve in the end that matters, it’s who you become in the process.” Author Unknown
I wrote them down. I carried these quotes with me constantly. I read them and meditated on them whenever I had the opportunity to. At work and home, I focused on these three powerful quotes to help me FOCUS on what I wanted.
Because Ray changed his thought patterns, over time, he can honestly say he is 20 lbs lighter and a whole lot happier. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that accomplishing the goal involved more than just thinking, but it all began with our thoughts. The thoughts then permeated into our actions. (Now Ray needs to FOCUS on maintaining that weight, so for him a whole new thought pattern begins.)”
Here are the three steps again:
1. Decide to change your way of thinking about a behavior, making it easier for you to think about it. Phrase it in a simple way.
2. Choose a word to focus on to change that behavior for a period of time.
3. Find a minimum of three motivational or inspirational quotes related to that specific word that are powerful enough to change your current thought patterns the moment you read them. Meditate on them and repeat them, silently or out loud, every chance you get.
Be patient. Stick with it. Give it some time.
Why do you think companies offer a 30-day money back guarantee? They know that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit and you no longer need to return it! (Learned something, huh?) Give it time.
The first step to what you want to accomplish is changing your mind and the thought patterns and beliefs associated with your behavior. Thoughts are the precursor to action, meaning that thoughts occur before any action takes place. That’s what needs to be changed first. Your thoughts.
Stay well and be happy!