Self Talk...It's Not Just for Crazy People!

The greatest problem solvers in the world preach the philosophy of "Self Talk." This is more than just having a positive mental attitude; this is what you actually say to yourself day in and day out. What a man can conceive and believe he can achieve. This is a form of self talk. The following are a few words of self-talk for how to deal with the problem of "Solving Problems."

"I'm good at solving problems. I like challenges and I meet them head on."

"Problems are my teachers. They help me to learn and grow. Without them, I would be going nowhere. With them, I am moving forward in the direction of my own goals."

"There is no problem which I cannot conquer. I am strong in mind, body, and spirit. My will, my strength, and my determination are always greater than any problem I face."

"When I meet a new problem, I do not see the problem as my enemy. I know that finding the solution to the problem will move me forward in my own personal growth."

"Because I know that problems are a key ingredient in my spiritual and mental education and preparation, I recognize that all problems are important to me."

"I do not fear problems, I solve them. I do not ignore problems, I confront them. I do not avoid problems, I conquer them!"

"I know that every problem holds within itself the keys to its own solution. Therefore, the better I understand the problem, the clearer I am able to see its solution."

"Having problems is not a problem for me. I am confident, self-assured, positive and determined. I always know that I am going to overcome any problems I encounter-and I always do."

"I am good at breaking large obstacles down into smaller pieces that are easier to handle. And I never make any problem appear to be larger than it actually is."

"I never worry. I turn "worry time" into positive, constructive, "solution time." I keep my mind alert and open to all solutions and solutions come quickly and easily to me."

"I have learned to recognize that many problems carry with them benefits and potential opportunities which would not have presented themselves had the problem not occurred in the first place."

"I do not seek to live a life which is free from all problems. Instead, I choose to live a life of finding solutions and enjoying the benefits which those solutions create."

"Challenge, conquer, solution, and win are words which I live by daily. "Challenges" are Opportunities. "Conquering them" is the inevitable outcome. "Solutions" are the stepping stones to my success, and "Winning" is my way of life."

I hope that something in these sayings will help you as you navigate the uncertain paths ahead. I know that problems are temporary and depending on how vigilant we are in addressing them often dictates how long we have persistent problems or how quickly we learn from them and move on.

Aren't We All a Little Bit Martian?

I just finished watching the movie "Martian Child" with John Cusak. I watched this movie with my wife and kids on a Friday night. That's something I haven't done enough and plan on doing more. Anyway...about the movie.

So, if you haven't seen the movie, I am recommending it now. The little boy that acts in it does a very good job, even though his soft high voice can get annoying at times. John Cusak was outstanding, as always, and the pairing of his real life sister as his sister in the movie was inspired. Amanda Peete rounded out the ensemble and provided good balance to the cast.

The movie is about a brilliant orphaned boy who has developed a fantasy world to cope with his losses and abandonment issues. He believes, or rather acts, like he is from Mars. It takes a slightly eccentric Science Fiction writer, John Cusak, to adopt him and provide the child with understanding and love he needed to overcome the fantasy world and rejoin we humans in our reality. The idea was that deep down, we all have a little Martian in us...we're all just trying to cope in our own ways.

As I thought about that, I realized that I certainly have a little Martian in me. I do things in my life as a coping mechanism...I act like a Martian sometimes to deal with my own issues. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think everyone does this to some degree. You know what? That is OK!

I think that the Martian in each of us is what makes us unique. The little Martian is what makes life interesting. Can you imagine if everyone acted the same...how boring. It's the little things, the goofy things or the poignant things that we do that make us special and provide texture and color to our lives.

The next thought was that the next time I see my kids acting a little peculiar, or marching to their own drum, I'm going to recognize their little Martian and smile, because I know that deep down inside, we are all a little bit Martian.