“You start out motivated but the voice of failure whispers to you. Here's how to listen for success.”

Years ago an experiment was conducted in several grade schools. Half of the teachers were told their students were overachievers with supportive families. The others were told they had all underachievers with apathetic families. In reality, both groups were equal, the only difference was the expectation of the teachers. The test scores for the "underachievers" dropped 25 points. The "overachievers" increased 50 points. Known as the Pygmalion Effect, the experiment showed how critical your view of something is and how you'll react accordingly. How does the Pygmalion Effect show up in your life? It boils down to a form of self-fulfilling prophecy. Label yourself a winner and you're far more likely to succeed. Tune into only positive messages about yourself and your efforts (especially the ones in your own head) and see how your life is positively affected.

“You have dreams for your future. Here's how to make sure they aren't just fantasies.”

Someone once said, "To dream alone is fantasy if it doesn't move you to act." Are your goals dreams or merely fantasies? Fantasies are stuff that sounds good in your head but rarely has basis in fact. No prince is going to show up at your door in a white Rolls Royce, much less on a horse. Your fairy godmother will not show up, sprinkle some fairy dust and "poof" turn you into Jennifer Lopez. Dreams on the other hand are possible but they are not magic just because we call them dreams. You have to not only imagine what you want, what you aspire to be, you must also form a plan and implement it. Dreams are doable if you're a doer.

“You find support online to reach your goals, and that is great, but here's why you need a live social network.”

You might think the more you are involved in real, face-to-face activities the more likely you are to get sick. Just the opposite is true. Research shows that people who have positive social interactions (like friends) get sick less frequently. It also boosts your morale, brings you joy, and reacts on your psyche in a way the impersonal internet can't. So hanging out with friends, going to church, or volunteering may be just the boost you need.

“You reflect on past failures and it's hard to stay on course. Here's how to blaze a new trail.”

Many years ago, no one thought the sound barrier could be broken. Then, some attempted to prove that theory wrong. Many men tried to make their mark in history but fell short. In October 1947, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. Why did he succeed while others failed? At those speeds, the plane would shake violently, feeling like pilot or plane would not survive. Previous pilots quit when it was so bad, not wanting to risk the unknown. Chuck pushed through the turbulence and held out to experience unprecedented success. Are you willing to risk it all to reach your goals? To experience a little pain, some discomfort? What if you stuck it out? What if you went in knowing it would be hard and decided you were strong enough to tough it out for the glory on the other side?

“You say you want to change your life. Here's how to put words into action.”

Corey Booker, former mayor of Newark, NJ once said, "How you live speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say." How are you living? Is your voice reflected in your actions? It's easy to talk about things we want to change, but when our actions actually show that we mean what we say, that's when real change takes place. Maybe it's time to stop thinking, talking, and planning. Take the first step is doing. Accept cir****tances as they are or take steps to change them.