Newsletter from "Be The Change" & Maria Khalifé

"The first and best victory is to conquer self." ~ Plato

Let's examine the ideas of will power and self discipline, because both of them are helpful tools to make your life happier, healthier, and more successful. Does thinking about will power make you cringe, or does it make you happy?

The idea of will power has several concepts wrapped into it: self-discipline and self-control and focus are some. On the opposite side, you might find impulsiveness or the inability to delay gratification.

If you want to be successful I encourage you to develop this mental muscle named willpower. Become vigilant enough to recognize the physical or mental forces that weaken or strengthen your willpower. Self-control can be strengthened by the foods we eat. It can be reached through laughter and re-visiting powerful memories.

Begin to think of your Will as the Power and Self Discipline as the Force behind that power. You will see that rebelliousness against this form of discipline can move you away from the "I despise it" to "I can see this can be my friend" mindset. Recognize that self discipline is a powerful force that can make your dreams come true. I know from my experience that each of us can improve self-control through practice, creating small tests for little things on our To-Do Lists and then strengthen our willpower for bigger ones, like manifesting our Big Dream.

Have you ever felt sad or embarrassed that you didn't know precisely how to accomplish something that everyone else seemed to know how already? Were you hiding this shyness or embarrassment behind laziness so that others wouldn't see the truth about you? Would you like to now conjure up some self discipline to come out from behind that shyness, laziness or embarrassment and begin to accomplish?

Willpower is not about tightening up one's muscles and forcing an effect. Will power is more about "allowing" than about "forcing." It isn't ever necessary to force your own power or self discipline. Try to think of it instead as "I am permitting the natural, normal me its full expression." It will be more pleasant for you as you develop this mental muscle.

Start Small

Before you tackle the bigger things in your life, try exercising self-control over smaller things first.

Train yourself to put your clothing on in a way that is different.
If you eat breakfast traditionally on the way to work, get up earlier and eat it at home.
Consider watching your words so that if you habitually swear, choose other words for the next two weeks.
If you normally watch TV before retiring, read an inspirational book right before you go to sleep.

Additional Opportunities

Here are some practical examples to continue to strengthen the mental muscle called will power.

You are in line at a restaurant. You have let your hunger go past the point of normalcy. Another person comes in and wants to place their order. Let them move ahead of you. Doing something you are reluctant to do will fuel your will power.
You are tired after a long day's work and you know a brisk walk will re-energize you but you want to watch TV and have a beer. Encourage yourself. Say "Let's test this just this once." Get up and go for the walk. The second time it will be easier and you'll have strengthened your self discipline.
I have a friend who used to be a nun. She told me that one of the ways they were encouraged to practice self-discipline was to not look into doorways or mirrors as they passed by. Can you try this to strengthen your mental self discipline muscle?

It's a good idea to eat well when you are consciously working to develop greater self discipline. Sugary foods or snacks are not helpful. Eating well-balanced meals provides the energy to pursue your goals.

WIIFM? (What's In It For Me?)

Many of you know about my life and its successes. When you hear me on the radio, read about me in the newspaper, or see me on a TV interview, do you think "Ah, that Maria has the life! She moves effortlessly throughout her successes."

My dear friends, think about the effortlessness of Jascha Heifeitz, one of the finest violinists of all time. Heifetz had an immaculate technique and a tonal beauty that many violinists regard as unequaled. Did he achieve this high level of skill effortlessly, or do you think perhaps he worked assiduously at it, as I have at my career? True skill and great success are both the result of self discipline and will power.

It is my strongest hope and dream for you today that you encourage yourself to become more powerful in your mentality through exercising self discipline and will power. I want success, health, wealth and happiness for you.

"I think the guys who are really controlling their emotions ... are going to win." ~ Tiger Woods

Warmly,

Maria