The great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar was raised during the depression. His mother did her best to provide for their needs. She would milk the cows and sell the surplus milk and butter to provide some extra money for the family. Cows with higher milk production were much more expensive to purchase than a lower producing cow. Zig’s mother would purchase one of the less expensive cows, and then she tried to figure out a way to increase the milk production out of her little dairy herd.
You might be surprised how Mrs. Ziglar was able to accomplish this amazing feat. Zig Ziglar recounts that she “loved” it out of them. She didn’t have the money to buy a lot high quality feed for her animals, which is what most dairy farmers do to increase milk production, though she gave them as much as she could afford. Then, every single day, as she went out in the early morning to milk them, she would stroke each cow, and praise and compliment them. She would shower each of her five cows with positive words and affirmations.
She would tell them they were the most beautiful, wonderful cows in the world. She said they had an abundance of milk so rich and creamy that all other cows would be envious. Every day, without fail, these cows would be loved, stroked, and told how incredible they were.
Amazingly, her method of positive thoughts and words worked. The cows gradually began to produce more and more milk. As time passed, some of the cows on the Ziglar family farm increased milk production significantly from a few gallons a day to as much as 7 gallons of milk in a single day. This was a major benefit to this family who was struggling during such difficult economic times. Mrs. Ziglar understood a fundamental truth that too many fail to realize. Positive words and thinking really do create positive energy that can have a major impact and affect on your desired outcome.
“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
The cows got the message. Though the animals did not necessarily understand the words she was saying, they could most definitely feel the positive energy that emanated from her through the positive thoughts and words she was delivering to them. Over time, this positive energy resulted in an outcome that would have not been realized otherwise. The human mind works the same way, and we should take some advice from the late Ziglar who says we should treat people like cows…including ourselves.
Here are three things you can do each morning to ensure that you start your day with positive thoughts and energy.
- Go to bed at a decent hour so that you can arise early and refreshed in the morning.
You’ve heard the old adage, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise.” Harvard biologist Christoph Randler discovered in 2010 that early risers tend to be more proactive. His study also revealed that early risers are more optimistic and are able to anticipate problems more successfully minimize them. If at all possible, try to get up early enough in the morning that you can watch the sunrise. Maybe snap a quick picture of the of it each day and observe how beautiful and unique each sunrise is. If you are feeling down during the day, look at that picture of the beautiful sunrise to help push out any negative thoughts you may have that day.
- Focus on the positive and eliminate the negative.
Just as Mrs. Ziglar spent a little time each day nurturing those cows with positive thoughts and strokes of encouragement, you must do the same with yourself. During the early hours of the morning before anyone else is up, close your eyes and visualize your future self as though you have already achieved whatever goal it is you are trying to accomplish. Get that picture in your mind of the person you wish to become, and daily reaffirm to yourself that you are that person, as if it were a reality today. When a negative thought enters your mind, flush it out quickly. Do NOT allow negative thoughts to poison your powerful mind. Do whatever you have to do to rid yourself of those toxic thoughts, whether it be to remove yourself from a negative environment, turn on some uplifting music, read some articles on this site (hint, hint), exercise, say a prayer, or call your mom. Whatever method works for you, harbor the positive thoughts and eliminate the negative ones as quickly as you possibly can.
- Make a Daily Checklist.
Studies show that people who utilize checklists for goals and tasks are notably more productive and self-confident. Use whatever method is most comfortable for you. If you are old school, just grab a paper and pen or pencil and write down your daily tasks. Or, there are many phone apps that work great too. As you complete each task on your list, check it off. You will be amazed at how good it feels to see all the things you have accomplished in a day. Once you have started on this path, you must continue this daily habit of positive thinking. The Abundance Project is here to encourage you along the way. Please let us know what helps you stay positive. We’d love to hear from you.
Article sourced from - http://www.theabundanceproject.com/2014/09/one-small-positive-thought-in-the-morning-can-change-your-whole-day/
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