Your Daily Focus: Energizing
Whatever you want in life, act the part, and you are much more likely to get it.
I was at the gym yesterday with my 17-year-old son James and I was feeling exhausted. I had pushed the first part of my workout, the cardio, past my usual limits. I was walking toward the drinking fountain looking spent. It actually felt great to act exhausted because I felt I had just earned it.
My son then said, “Dad, you’ll feel better if you just act the part.” I replied, “What do you mean by that?” He went on to explain that you can get a huge rush of energy by simply walking as though you are energized. Instead of walking slowly, shoulders dropped, taking exhausted breaths; walk briskly, head and shoulders up, light on your feet, with strong deep energizing breaths.
Wow, it had an instant effect. I immediately felt better simply by acting the part of an athlete. With my newfound energy I was able to continue on and complete a much bigger workout.
Isn’t that funny? The idea of simply thinking it, brings it into reality. It’s as though we can trick the mind with our actions, and trick our body with our thoughts. It seems like a universal truth. Think it and you’ll be it. Act the part. Fake it till you make it. Attitude is everything.
So whatever it is that you want in life today, act the part and you are much more likely to get it. And remember, whatever part you are acting, whatever story you are telling, whatever thoughts you are thinking… you will probably get THAT whether you want it or not… so pick a good part to act.
This is true when pursuing any goal and pivotal in creating all that you want in life. Good article.
I have been a fan of such thinking for years. For the most part I still do practice it. I also know that for some people who are suffering from disease it is just not that easy. Some people just have to slow down because their bodies are compromised. It seems almost cruel not to recognize that. What advice do you have for those who have serious physical issues such as cancer, severe asthma, auto-immune disorders, etc.?
I recommend those folks practice taking their attention off their disease state and put their attention on the 99% of their body that is working perfectly. When you think about it, there is always lots to find.
Think about the billions of cells that are functioning perfectly. Within each cell, there are a hundred thousand chemical reactions going on perfectly each second. Think of the magnitude of that. Add in neural communication, brain function, respiration, circulation, autonomic monitoring, digestion, renal filtration, excretion, nutrient balance… my gosh, it is nothing short of a miracle!
But sometimes we don’t FEEL well even in the face of knowing we are all living miracles. so the transition to appreciation and acceptance often takes practice. For me it was years of daily practicing of positive thoughts. But it is so worth it, because now I can see each circumstance as acceptable and leading me to expansion and growth.
It is much easier to attract more health when one’s focus in on health rather than disease, on hope rather than fear. And, that feeling of moving toward expansion and growth and improved health always feels good.
Hi Rick…
One of my granddad’s favorite sayings to me all the while I was growing was: “little girl, you can do it.. it is all in your mind.. conquer that and you have it made!” And you know it is true. The results from positive thoughts amaze and astound me always.
I have had my fair share of injuries and maladies over my *cough, cough* many years on this big blue planet, but I have found that if I turn my attention to what is hurting or causing me difficulty that is where my attention remains. We all have free choice in life with everything. I sometimes tire of hearing people blame things on circumstance or influence of other people, games, tv, etc.. we were given that gift of free will by the death on the cross.
What we choose in life becomes our life. So I am making a concerted effort to choose the positive over the negative… even in my thought process of the little innuendos made by others towards my “less than shining star quality”, I manage to make a joke about it before they say anything.. as granddad said, it deflates their attempt at their high for the day or to make them feel superior…
If I concentrate on the good that is still present in my life, then I feel better even with the aches and pains I might experience. I am still alive and kicking and making memories.. what more could one ask for????
Great article~!!!
Thank you Carol, that’s a wonderful real-life example. I like how you phrased it… “if I turn my attention to what is hurting or causing me difficulty that is where my attention remains.” The results really are astounding… nothing is out of reach! – thanks
Thank you for that wonderful reminder. I will definitely apply it to my next workout (among other things. How delightful to be reminded by a 17 year old. That is awesome.
I so appreciate your workout story Dr. Rick. I had experienced a real good and challenging yoga session on Sat. Even though my arms gave out at times due to all the snow shoveling on Wed (I thank my lucky stars for my refreshed physical strength, and for that matter, my mental strength)
I hung in there and was very exhilarated after my yoga! I also appreciate all the comments on this page. Excellent thought processes.