Response to Kirk on thinking positive.

You are what you believe...good, bad or ugly
In my nearly 10 years in the professional recruiting industry, its my belief, as its been demonstrated over and over again, that people typically get hired for what they can do, but fired (or promoted) for who they are. However, you cant sit around and 'wish' things were different or 'wish' you felt better. EX: laying on the couch thinking about exercise. "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." - William James What say you? Kirk

Well Kirk, what say me?

This is a topic for serious discussion, I believe. There are several layers here. Let's take a look at them, shall we?

When you say "that people typically get hired for what they can do", what do we mean by this? Is hiring done based upon skill sets, or existing qualifications--or--is does it take into consideration aptitudes and potentials? If hiring were done based upon qualifications, who would be qualified to fill the positions? Who is "born" qualified, or with certain skill sets? People who have just graduated from college or a trade school do not really have experience, do they?

To me, it is a bit like karaoke. All the karaoke/DJ services exist only because there are singer/songwriters who have written and performed their songs in the places where the DJ services now "perform". Too many DJ services being hired means less singer/songwriters honing their craft and creating more music.

I think that we hire not just on what people CAN do, as it is an existing experience, but as an aptitude or as a inner potential. Yet, we then move on to the point of whether or not the person can ACTUALLY "perform as promised".

Then, we get into firing or promoting. And, a lot of this may have to do with politics more than skills, abilities, potentials, or anything else that actually benefits the business. And that, to me, is quite a shame; and, it will probably always be. (not being negative, just realistic).

However, the next point you bring up is an interesting one indeed.

"However, you cant sit around and 'wish' things were different or 'wish' you felt better. EX: laying on the couch thinking about exercise. "....

I'm not a fan of "wishful thinking"; yet, I do think positive thinking does have benefits that are long reaching and often-times not immediately measured. By this, I mean that wishing for a different result while still maintaining the previous consistent subconscious negative programming will probably not bring about a different result than previously experienced. However, if we can change the internal subconscious programming to a more resourceful and serving perspective, great and incredible positive changes can be had.

Much of what goes on in our lives is the reflection of what is going on in our minds. To know what someones consistent thought patterns, beliefs, values, and internal represenations are, it is said that all we have to do is to look at the life that person is living. The external is a reflection of the internal. So, those consistent (and internally congruent) positive thoughts CAN help to bring about major positive change. The changes generally manifest themselves in many ways.

For example, if one were to VISUALIZE (not wishful thinking) having the physical body that they desired to have AND internalize this picture in such a way that it were aligned with their consistent subconscious thought patterns, some changes might be: the urge to actually begin that exercise program, the urge to eat the right foods, the urge to walk instead of drive, etc.

Obviously, it is up to the individual to listen to those "urges" and follow through on them. But, the urges (intuitions?) could very well not have been created by the subconscious mind without the visualizing (positive thinking?) being performed.

Of course, this is a quick look into this timeless principle. However, I think that it is completely in line with the wonderful quote from Mr. James: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." - William James .

Because it is through the power of the mind (altering the attitudes) that one begins the process of altering ones life.

To learn about improving your intuition, check out: http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Ways-to-Improve-Your-Intuition&id=2346368.