'A Prosperous New Year' is one of the many wishes that we pass along to each other during the Holiday season. What a great blessing say or wish upon anyone! But what is it that you are thinking about for yourself and others all year long? Are you thinking prosperous thoughts? And what could that possibly have to do with the success of your business?
Over the past several months I have often written about the power of thoughts and words. How we think determines everything that we do. It is the beginning of what will come to pass. That is why it is so important to identify just what it is we think about and what we tell ourselves.
Doctors all over the world have identified that stress is one of the leading causes of illness. One of the major causes of stress is worry over finances. Catherine Ponder writes in her book 'The Dynamic laws of Prosperity', "... it has been estimated that over nine tenths of the mankind's ills are caused by the strain, misery and unhappiness of poverty." How many of us, as small business people, worry over just that issue? What is it you talk to yourself about, think about and say out loud?
The first thing we need to understand and believe is that prosperity is available to all who decide that it is theirs to claim. If you do not believe that you can and deserve to be prosperous, it will be impossible for you to achieve.
The second thing we need to do is begin to think and speak prosperous things. For some this can be difficult because they are unsure just how to do that. It begins by listening to the words that you say, and the thoughts that you have about your business. I personally fell into the trap of thinking less than prosperous thoughts during a period that seemed like a financial drought. I said things like, "I cannot afford that" and "what am I going to do if things do not change?" I began to hold onto every penny tighter than ever before. And the more I spoke things like that, the worse things got.
But then a friend gave me a book to read that taught me many powerful lessons in prosperous thinking. Her are a few of the things I had to do to change the way that I thought. Here are some of the 'laws' of prosperity that I have learned- and yes, they work!
1. Have a prosperous attitude towards what you do. Develop win-win strategies. Ensure that your first desire is to give value- and know that you will be adequately rewarded for it.
2. Speak prosperous words to people around you. Think about them in terms of receiving abundance. Say things like "I bless you with the rich increase of God's almighty goodness." Wish for them great wealth.
3. Do not hold grudges. If there is someone who owes you money, think about their prosperity and wish for them new clients and opportunities.
4. Avoid hurry and understand that there is no lack of opportunity. Do things in a timely manner, but never fret or hurry- that is a scarcity state of mind. There is enough time to get things done. Make a point of making a list at the start of a day and commit those tasks to a greater being- giving thanks that they are already completed.
5. Use imagery to see your results. Writing down your goals and forming the image in your mind of them completed and the results that they will bring, will ensure that you complete them. You can use imagery in many ways. Envisioning a certain amount in a savings account will start you on the path to completing the vision in reality,
6. Stop talking hard times. There is enough wealth and plenty of resources to be developed. Refuse to believe in anything but prosperity and wealth for yourself and all those around you.
7. Finally - direct you energies towards a goal. (And write that goal down) When your energies are focused in a positive way, it is amazing how many petty, non constructive things fall by the wayside. Decide that you have achieved that goal, and envision the results of all your hard work and the benefits of abundance that it will bring.
These are just a few of the things you can do to change how you think about your success and prosperity. It all begins with how you think, followed by what you say.