Creating Your Own Luck: The Power of Positive Beliefs

"Under all that we think, lives all we believe, like the ultimate veil of our spirits." —Antonio Machado

Recently, while enjoying lunch at a restaurant, I overheard an intriguing conversation between two individuals discussing their dreams if they won the lottery. One eagerly declared, “I would buy the fastest, most luxurious car imaginable and live in the grandest house in the neighborhood.” The other, lost in a dreamlike state, replied, “Winning the lottery would bring me true happiness. I’d never worry again, I’d love my job more because I wouldn’t fear losing it, and my family would be happier since we could do more together.” They continued, each trying to outshine the other with their fantasies of newfound wealth.

Listening to them, I realized that I’ve never bought a lottery ticket for myself, though I’ve given them as gifts. It amazes me how many people pin their hopes and dreams on winning the lottery. Yes, some do win, and it changes their lives, but living in perpetual hope of such a win is misguided. Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not against lotteries. My concern lies with those who do nothing to improve their lives except buy a weekly ticket. They remain in jobs they dislike, feeling stressed and frustrated, seemingly unaware that they have the power to change their circumstances.

I believe everyone possesses the qualities and skills needed for success. Think of it as having a winning ticket in your back pocket. This ticket represents your potential to achieve anything you desire. The challenge is recognizing and utilizing these inherent abilities, often suppressed by self-doubt and negative self-talk.

So, how do we cash in this metaphorical winning ticket? It starts with examining and reshaping our belief systems. Remember, it’s not life’s events that shape us, but our beliefs about what those events mean. Our beliefs can either empower or limit us. Every individual has the power to derive empowering meanings from their experiences, though many never tap into this potential. As Anthony Robbins notes in “Awaken the Giant Within,” it’s the meanings we attach to events—not the events themselves—that shape our belief systems and, consequently, our lives.

Consider two women who both turned 70. One believes her life is winding down, seeing seven decades as a sign to start preparing for the end. The other sees it as an opportunity to redefine herself, setting higher standards and embarking on a journey to improve her fitness. Over the next decade, she transformed her body and even began competing in bodybuilding contests, achieving remarkable success in her late seventies.

Let’s ensure our beliefs don’t become our limitations. To create a new direction in life, we must take conscious control of our beliefs. By recognizing our strengths and learning to direct our thoughts positively, we can finally cash in the winning ticket we’ve carried all our lives.

So, to quickly summarize:

• Unlock Your Potential: Recognize and utilize the inherent qualities and skills you possess to achieve your dreams.
• Empower Your Beliefs: Understand that your beliefs about life’s events, not the events themselves, shape your reality. Choose empowering interpretations.
• Take Control and Act: Consciously reshape your belief systems, recognize your strengths, and direct your thoughts positively to create the life you desire.

Make this your best week ever and make as big of an Impact as it is possible for you to do.