An elderly mediaeval monk once wrote: "I realise that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.

"My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world."

This begs the question: "Where do I begin to change myself?" I believe that the starting point lies in our thinking.

John Maxwell, the leadership expert, observes: "I have found the following statements to be true:

1. When you change your thinking, you change your beliefs.
 
"The following strategy has been particularly effective in helping me bring about change in my thinking. I've trained myself to think in ways that are...

Positive - This allows me to look for the best and receive the best.

Creative - This allows me to find answers when others quit looking.

Bottom-line - This allows me to prioritise and get rid of busy work.

Simple - This allows me to communicate my thoughts to everyone.

Practical - This allows me to apply principles to everyday life.

Continual - This allows me to assimilate everyday experiences into projects that are "on the table."

 
2. When you change your beliefs, you change your expectations.
 
"Belief is the knowledge that we can do something. It's the inner feeling that what we undertake, we can accomplish.

"For the most part, all of us have the ability to look at something and know whether or not we can do it."