One of my biggest frustrations is hearing people say things like, “Why should I bother? It’s never going to happen,” or, “I’m never going to be able to succeed at that, so why start?” I strongly believe in self-fulfilling prophecies. If a person believes they are not going to succeed or that they are never going to achieve something, conquer something, or obtain something, then they never really will succeed.

I was talking with a person who has significant debt, and he made the comment how he’d never have a nice house. He then proceeds to spend $3-7 at Starbucks every day and I thought, “Yep, you probably won’t ever have a nice house.” It’s not because of the debt, though; it’s his mentality that it’s not going to happen. This mentality let’s him think it’s okay to drop $20 a Starbucks every week. If he gave up Starbucks and was that tenacious about putting that money towards his debt, his chances of getting the house that he wants would significantly increase. Let’s say he has to buy a bag of coffee instead to last a week, leaving $15 a week, or $60 a month, or $720 a year to put towards debt.

You might be thinking that isn’t much money, but a person with a goal of owning a great house, who visualizes living in that house, who makes the goal a priority, will give up coffee and much more to obtain it; they, therefore, will most likely reach their goal.

Just as negative thought can keep a person from reaching their goals, positive visualization can help a person reach their dreams. Great athletes visualize winning and what it will take to get there. A person who can visualize themselves living their dreams has a greater chance of succeeding because they can see the goal – it’s tangible.

Think positive. Visualize your dream.

Jana Axline is president and leadership coach at Axline Solutions and author of Becoming You. Through her leadership musings she inspires audiences to grow as leaders and ultimately achieve who they were created to be. For more information visit Axline Solutions.