By Chris Gentry, author, The Little Book of Prosperity

It has been said that we become what we think about all day long. Most of us don’t realize just how important it is to train our minds to think positively. We are bombarded everywhere with negativity— negative news, negative people, negative social media, and most of all, many of us practice negative self- talk. We often talk to ourselves in a way we would never even consider talking to other people. Our minds are not always peaceful, positive places for us to be in.

Everyone has an inner critic, that voice that is constantly telling ourselves that we aren’t good enough, we aren’t smart enough, we aren’t thin enough, we aren’t young enough, we aren’t rich enough. That voice is constantly letting us know our shortcomings.

Because we have so much negativity around and within us, it is imperative that we flood our lives with positivity. One expert said that we are exposed to seven times more negativity on a daily basis than we are positivity. I believe this. In order to counteract all of these negative influences, we must surround ourselves with as much positivity as we can.

Look for the positive everywhere you can, big or small. Write positive affirmations. Don’t let other people tell you what to think. Stay the course as much of each day as possible, so that you are choosing what to think, rather than being passive and lazy in your thinking.

When we follow the advice of the experts and use positive self- talk techniques, we neutralize the negativity and create positive experiences. Self-talk, then, becomes one of the most potent and powerful ways to create a successful life. The more you train yourself to be positive, the more you begin to see that positivity shows up in every area of your life.

Make Your Mind Up to Be Happy

I have for many years endeavored to make this vital truth clear; and still people marvel when I tell them that I am happy. They imagine that my limitations weigh heavily upon my spirit, and chain me to the rock of despair. Yet, it seems to me, happiness has very little to do with the senses. If we make up our minds that this is a drab and purposeless universe, it will be that, and nothing else.

On the other hand, if we believe that the earth is ours, and that the sun and moon hang in the sky for our delight, there will be joy upon the hills and gladness in the fields because the Artist in our souls glorifies creation. Surely, it gives dignity to life to believe that we are born into this world for noble ends, and that we have a higher destiny than can be accomplished within the narrow limits of this physical life. —Helen Keller

Focus on Opportunities Rather Than Obstacles

Rich people focus on what they want, while poor people focus on what they don’t want. Again, the universal law states, “What you focus on expands.” Because rich people focus on the opportunities in everything, opportunities abound for them. Their biggest problem is handling all the incredible money-making possibilities they see. On the other hand, because poor people focus on the obstacles in everything, obstacles abound for them and their biggest problem is handling all the incredible obstacles they see.

It’s simple. Your field of focus determines what you find in life. Focus on opportunities and that’s what you find. Focus on obstacles and that’s what you find. When obstacles arise, handle them, then quickly refocus on your vision. —T. Harv Ecker

Don’t Let Others Make Up Your Mind For You

Accurate thinking and accurate thinkers permit no one to do their thinking for them. If you’re going to be an accurate thinker in the strict sense of that term, you have got to get into the habit of becoming responsible for your own thinking and your own opinions and your own ideas.

It’s all right to seek information from other people; get all the knowledge you can, get

all the facts you can. But in the final analysis, don’t let anybody make up your mind for you about anything. Reserve unto yourself the last word in your thinking. If you let others think for you, you are taking the path of least resistance. —Napoleon Hill

Adapted, and reprinted with permission from Hampton Roads Publishing, The Little Book of Prosperity by Chris Gentry is available wherever books and ebooks are sold or directly from the publisher at www.redwheelweiser.com or 800-423-7087.