Who do you think you are?

That question is usually a taunt hurled angrily, questioning your words or action when a person believes you have overstepped some boundary.

However, this question is probably the most important question you can answer for experiencing success in your personal and professional life.  Experience, observation, and research all demonstrate the importance of how a person thinks about himself or herself.

Thoughts are the seeds for attitudes and actions.   What you think creates your attitude which in turn creates your behavior; therefore, the most important thoughts you have are what you say to yourself about yourself when you are by yourself.

Here are some of the guidelines you want to keep in mind when you talking to yourself:

Be specific about what you want.  Almost all of what you want already exists.  You must focus and prepare your mind to identify the specific attributes and actions you want.  For example, when you buy a new car, you begin to see other cars just like your new one.  They had always been there.  You just did not see them until your mind was prepared to see them.   Your mind can help you BE and DO what you desire if you decide and verbalize by writing or saying those statements.

State your expectations in positive words and positive affirmations.  Your mind does not recognize negative words.  If you say to yourself, “Don’t talk so much,” your mind is processing “talk much.”  If you desire to talk less, a more effective statement would be:  “I am a thoughtful person who has good ideas and helpful information that I share with others at appropriate times.”

Think in present tense — as if your statement already is happening.  Again, what you seek already exists.  Tune your mind to notice it exists.  Your desires should be your mental reality.

The majority of brain action is subconscious — up to 96 percent some say.  The information you put in your subconscious mind prepares that powerful ally to help you build the life you want.

Who do you think you are?

It is an important question.  Make it true.  Make it real.  Make it happen.

Arnelle Adcock is a partner and president of Brentwood-based Clover Management Group — a team of seasoned professionals who help business owners.  You can reach her at 615-900-0777, aadcock@clovermg.com, or www.clovermg.com.