The Ant and Elephant: Creating Positive Dominant Thoughts

The Ant and the Elephant Day 2
from Theresa Trumpelmann, Member

How often do we start off with a bang, full of enthusiasm and energy, filled with our vision of a goal we set out to achieve… and somehow we slip into old habits, not knowing when we started slipping; except for the fact that we have a nagging feeling of going in the wrong direction and a familiar feeling of frustration.

Implementing new ideas and a new direction takes focus and patience. And, being human, we easily get disillusioned with our dreams and goals. Not connecting with our dreams will make one feel frustrated.

Oh, how many times have I felt like that, and the more I realize that I’m frustrated with myself and not being able to stay focused, the angrier I get! We can get so trapped in our thoughts that we can slip into a depressed state, if not paying attention.

(Tip: use the Ladder of Emotional States that Christine emailed from “Ask and it is given”, to help move up a notch at a time).

A good idea is to learn to recognize and catch the negative thought before it becomes a giant.

We need to firstly appreciate our struggle, for without conflict, there is no growth. And the most challenging conflict is within ourselves. To look at ourselves objectively is nearly impossible without some help from a mentor. (Thank you, Christine and Liz for your Focus Tips and inspiration as mentors!)

Here is a great analogy to understand how to train your habits: The Drops in the Bucket concept from The Ant and the Elephant.

Imagine a bucket full of clear water, and our goal is to turn the clear water blue, but we can only use one blue ink drop a day. We need to remember that the process will take time and consistency. At first it will seem as if there is no change at all. We cannot miss one day, for we cannot catch up lost time.

Leadership does not happen in one day, but one day at a time.

We live in a world of instant gratification (instant food, instant television, instant payments, instant internet access etc.), but we need to fight that pressure and remember that the worthiest goals take time and energy. Sometimes if feels like a drop in the bucket can’t possibly change the color of the whole bucket, but if we stay the course, it actually will.

Stay the course. Change is gradual.
The Truth of my thoughts will rub off on my subconscious mind. To change and keep my thoughts, I have to work daily at visualising my dream, like adding drops of blue to the bucket daily.

As you gain momentum in visualizing your dreams daily and create emotion around them (see yesterday’s focus tip) the ‘bucket’ will gradually become visibly blue- and you will be able to see and difference in your own life.

Our beliefs, attitudes and truths can lift us up or drag us down. If you can create a truth that is in line with your vision you are a great step closer to connecting with your dream. Choose your beliefs, attitudes and truths carefully.

Focus on HAVING (not WANTING) something and you’ll eventually have it.

Lesson 2: Commit to cultivating positive dominant thoughts.

• Shift beliefs, attitudes and truths so they align with your vision
• Envision having the goal, rather than merely wanting the goal. Spend a few minutes on daily focus.
• Your subconscious beliefs, attitudes and truths can be deeply held. You can change it with dedicated, focussed effort.