Posted Originally on August 13, 2008
I recently saw an interview with Marci Shimoff, author of “Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out.” And she said something really interesting. We all have a happiness set point. And it means that no matter what happens to us in life, we tend to settle around the same happiness level unless we do something consciously to change it.
She said that our set point is 50% genetic (we’re born with it), 10% circumstances, and the other 40% is due to our habits of thoughts and behavior. That 40% is the part we can change. She said we have 60,000 thoughts per day, and for the average person 80% of those are negative. Sooooo…
We’ve got to stop the negative thoughts! And we’ve got to replace them with positive thoughts.
The road to publication and the business of writing can be difficult. None of us is immune to rejection. And then there’s the negative feedback (those painful contests score sheets and tepid or even bad reviews). Even when things are going great, we worry about what’s ahead. We wonder if we can keep producing good manuscripts or if we'll ever sell again. But we have to plow ahead, to keep our chins up and tell ourselves that we’re strong, we’re good at what we do, and we’re going to be successful.
Okay, so maybe you’re thinking I’m a wannabe therapist. It seems with every post I’m trying to force you to do self-reflection. But actually, I think I'm more of a wannabe cheerleader. (Yeah, you guessed it. I was in band in high school.) So here I go once again with a self-help assignment. So sorry! But you have to do it anyway (yes, I can be as mean as Ruthy). :)
Come up with two or three affirmations you’re going to tell yourself this week (and maybe post them on sticky notes on your bathroom mirror). I’d love to hear if changing your self-talk worked for you! I'd also love for you to share what you've come up with.
Gosh, I guess I’ll go first… I’m organized. I’m competent…
I’m skinny.
What? That one doesn’t count? (Don’t you wish we could “self-talk” the pounds away?!) Okay, a third affirmation: I’m creative.
I will succeed! And so will you. Now your turn...
Rah Rah!
Missy :)
Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near
Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her
books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW
Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest and
a 2013 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. A House Full of Hope was a
Romance Writers of America 2013 RITA® Nominee. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.
Comments have been turned off today so you can focus on writing and practicing your positive self-talk. :)
