| The pictures you create in your mind about yourself are often what are communicated to others. So think of how you visualize yourself. Are you filling your mind with positive images or doubtful ones? Too many people focus their mental energy on the challenges they are encountering or pain they want to avoid. They visualize their setbacks repeatedly. While you certainly can’t ignore daily challenges, you don’t have to let them dominate your thoughts. Take some time to reflect on what’s good in your life, what you are capable of, and paint positive mental images of what you want. A choice is always available. You can choose to visualize success, or you can choose visualize problems. Realize, though, that negative thoughts prompt you to underestimate yourself and your abilities. This perpetuates a cycle of negativity. In contrast, positive thoughts prompt you to believe in yourself and be successful. When you visualize something positive, you set into motion the cycle of empowerment. This then leads to more success. Nature gives us the perfect example of what can happen when you believe in yourself. Consider the simple bumblebee. There are some who say that the bumblebee overestimates its ability to fly. It’s body is much too large for the flimsy set of wings nature gave it. But the bumblebee assumes it can fly. She flaps her wings as if she expects to fly and does! One of the greatest mistakes you can make is to underestimate yourself. The reason is quite simple. You act in harmony with how you see yourself. So again, what do you visualize? How do you see yourself? Tip: Discard what people may say about the ability of the bumblebee to fly. Don’t let someone else’ opinion about you define who you are. Regardless of what someone may tell you, visualize yourself as if you can do what you would like to do—that you can do what you set out to do. Put your efforts in motion and do what you want to do. | 
