Photo credit: Demotivate.org

Either from the time we were children or from the time we picked up the study of personal development when we were adults, we’ve been told that success and winning are the pinnacles of life. Achievement and being the best – at relationships, at our career, even at personal development - is the epitome of a good life.

This has morphed into softer, more touchy-feely subjects in the past few years as people are getting more in touch with their inner selves, but there is still a pervasive sense of needing to be good at things – to be good at healing ourselves, at meditating, at yoga or at balancing career and motherhood, for instance.

We have this perception that ‘out there’ somewhere are these winners, these creatures who ‘win’ at everything they do, who succeed greatly, dress better than we do, talk easily and graciously to all people and generally live amazing lives. They have a certain something that, if only we do the right things, we can have too, but maybe we secretly think we’ll never have it.

Almost everyone has felt this at one time or another, though most of us don’t admit it – perhaps not even to ourselves. Most of us would never overtly call ourselves losers, but the proof is in the following small test: look in the mirror and say to yourself ‘You’re a winner! You’re a champion. You’re the best!’ and see what happens. Do you hear things like ‘Yeah, right. Whatever. That’s not true – not you! I wish’ (that mind of yours, talking back! — the nerve!)? These are the truths of what we think about ourselves. How much do you suppose this has held you back from achieving your dreams – from even dreaming in the first place? It is WE who are holding ourselves back, in the form of subtle, familiar self-judgements.

There is something to be said for thinking like a winner – for believing in yourself and expecting nothing but the best from – and for – yourself. Start treating yourself like the fabulous creature you are – like a winner in every way, because you are. You are magnificent, and capable, and powerful.  Stop looking for signs from the universe, validation from anyone around you or for a miracle to happen. Decide what you want, realize that only you can get it, and go get it!

You may enjoy this related post Self Development: Winning Principles.