| A lot of people really think that the reason "rich | | | | Have you ever gotten excited and pictured yourself |
| people" are so happy and positive is because they | | | | at your vacation spot? Have you ever made a |
| are rich and successful. Therefore, it's easy for them | | | | reservation? Have you ever told anyone about it? |
| to be that way. But is that really true? | | | | So, was all of that just foolish mind games? |
| In so many of the motivational books and courses, | | | | Planning your success is a lot like planning a vacation. |
| you will hear and read over and over, that the way | | | | First, you get clear and specific with where you want |
| to change your life and your circumstances is by | | | | go, right? Next, you decide on a date. Then, you |
| changing your thinking. The thoughts we think | | | | start making plans; you put some money aside; you |
| produce our core beliefs, which determines what our | | | | submit your vacation request at work. In other |
| lives will be. Perhaps the Bible says it most succinctly, | | | | words, you take action on those plans. |
| "As he thinks in his heart, so is he!" | | | | And, if you were indeed planning to go on vacation |
| But many people think that once they become | | | | to Hawaii, you would never, ever say, "Oh, I'll never |
| successful they will be happy and positive and think | | | | go to Hawaii." On the contrary, you would be saying, |
| thoughts of success. Then, they will be really happy. | | | | "I am going to Hawaii." You would probably be saying |
| Then, everything will be just fine. In other words, | | | | that a lot! I know I did, months before I ever went |
| they think that the reason successful people are | | | | to Hawaii. |
| happy and positive is because they are successful. | | | | Why not do the same thing with your goals and the |
| But just the opposite is true. We really are all a | | | | desires of your heart? God has promised to give you |
| product of our own thoughts. Now I know for some | | | | the desires of your heart. So, why not ask Him? |
| that seems like a paradox. There are others who | | | | When we consistently go to Him in prayer, making |
| dismiss thinking thoughts of what you want in life and | | | | known our requests to Him, that's not foolish mind |
| where you desire to be as foolish mind games. They | | | | games, is it? Of course it's not! He is the One who |
| say things like, "You're just kidding yourself; that's not | | | | instructs us to pray to Him and He is the One who |
| reality; it's not true; you're just lying to yourself." | | | | promised to answer our prayers! |
| Have you ever sat down and talked with someone | | | | So, when we are thinking and seeing answers to our |
| who is very successful? I have, on a number of | | | | prayers, and even speaking of them as though they |
| occasions. In talking to them it is obvious that they | | | | were already answered, is that foolish mind games, |
| chose to think a certain way before they became | | | | or, is it trusting and having confidence in Him? |
| successful. They first addressed their thoughts. That | | | | Get clear on what it is you desire in your life. Pray |
| was the first step. | | | | about it consistently. And then, refuse to think or talk |
| Here's a good question: Are you lying to yourself | | | | contrary to that desire. See it in your mind coming to |
| when you plan a vacation? Have you ever looked at | | | | pass. Then, continue to take action. |
| travel brochures? Have you ever kept a brochure | | | | It really is true; you change your life and your |
| handy, maybe on your desk that shows the | | | | circumstances by changing your thinking. |
| destination you are planning on going to? | | | | |