1. A Presentation By CJ Pickering Live Your Best Life
Discovering Your True Self: The Importance of Attitude, Mindset and Believing
Hello Everyone, how are we feeling this afternoon? That’s great to hear. Can anyone tell me the difference between “Self” and “their self”? I can assure you that this is not a trick question. What I‘m asking each of you to do is to think about the person that you are. The person that is taking up the physical space in the seat that you are sitting in. Is this your true self? Or perhaps, your true self is something that cannot be measured and you have yet to discover this higher power that lies within you? The title of today’s presentation is called Discovering Your True Self: The Importance of Attitude, Mindset and Believing
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” –Christian D. Larson
A Presentation
By CJ Pickering
Live Your Best Life

2. Agenda What is attitude? What affects an individual’s attitude?
How perceptions, habits, and judgments influence attitude.
Like attracts like.
Ways to stay positive.
The benefits of positive thinking.
The magic of believing.
The importance of “Self”.
This afternoon’s agenda will cover several important topics that will challenge your beliefs, enlighten your perceptions, and invigorate your desire to succeed. We will cover such topics as: what is attitude; what affects an individual’s attitude; how perceptions, habits, and judgments influence attitude; like attracts like; ways to stay positive; the benefits of positive thinking; the magic of believing; and the importance of “Self”. Our attitude, beliefs and awareness of “self” have a profound impact on our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. When we discover our true self and live in alignment with our values and beliefs, we are able to heal our bodies.

3. What Is Attitude? Attitude:
-an individual’s perceptions of his/her surrounding world
-these views can be either positive or negative
Can anyone here tell me what attitude is and why it is important? Attitude is an individual’s perception of his or her surrounding environment. The views a person holds can either be positive or negative and thus have a profound impact on their attitude. Attitude is something that we all have complete control over. If we are dissatisfied or unhappy with our attitude, we can choose to change it. A person’s environment, physiological makeup, and his or her thoughts can affect their attitude.

4. Attitudes Are… Perceptions – the way you view something
Attitudes are behaviors that we learn from our surrounding environments. Our teachers, athletic coaches, and parents all influence the perceptions we hold about ourselves at a young age, which can carry through into adulthood, either negatively or positively affecting our lives’. Our attitudes also come from our physical well-being; therefore, if we do not eat correctly, exercise frequently, and get plenty of rest, we may suffer from a poor attitude or outlook.
Perceptions – the way you view something
-if your perception of an object or person changes, you will notice that your attitude does as well
-i.e. you’re feeling great! Suddenly, you meet a person/thing that makes you feel bad
-“YOU” did not change. What changed was “YOUR PERCEPTION”, which in turn, affected your attitude and how you felt
Judgments – a much more rigid perspective on someone or something
-similar to perception, tends to be more difficult to change

5. Attitude is Influenced by…
Judgments – a much more rigid perspective on someone or something
Perceptions – the way you view something
Attitudes are influenced by our perceptions and judgments. Perceptions are the way that we view a particular circumstance or situation. If our perception of an object or person changes, we will notice that our attitude will do so as well. For example, if we are feeling great and suddenly meet a person or thing that makes us feel bad, our attitude will change. “YOU” did not change. What changed was “YOUR PERCEPTION”, which in turn, affected your attitude and how you felt. On the other hand, our judgments are a much more rigid perspective that we hold about someone or something. They are similar to perceptions; however, they tend to be more difficult to change.

6. Attitudes are Habits Habits –a repetitive action
-something we do or say consciously or unconsciously
Attitude is everything
-is more important than intellect and skill
-more important than the reality of a particular situation
-i.e. an individual finds him/herself in an unfavorable situation, but views it in a positive way. Is the situation still unfavorable?
Attitudes are influenced by our judgments and perceptions but also our habits. A habit is a repetitive action that we have developed overtime and tend to do on a regular basis. It is something that we do or say to ourselves consciously or unconsciously. If our habits affect our attitude and we have control over our habits then we change our attitude. Attitude is everything. It is more important than intellect and skill combined. Our attitude is even more important than the reality of a particular situation. For instance, if an individual finds him/herself in an unfavorable position, but views it in a positive way. Suddenly the situation is no longer unfavorable.

7. Attitude Is Attraction
Like attracts Like - the Law of Attraction
-the inverse of this is also true. If your present attitude is “good” you will be creating a future reality, which is also good
The law of attraction is a belief that like attracts like. If people are focusing their attention on positive thoughts, they will get positive results. However, the converse is also true. If people focus on negative thoughts, they will get negative things. If your present attitude is poor, you will be creating a future reality, which reflects your current state of mind and attitude. If your present attitude is good, then you will be creating a future reality, which is also good.

8. Think Positive To Be Positive
Being positive means thinking positively about the people, places, and things in your life
Positive attitudes will spill over into other aspects of your life, increasing: health, business, happiness, relationships, and overall quality of life
Since like attracts like and what we think about becomes reality, it is imperative for us to think positive and to be positive, in order to get positive results. Our mental attitude admits a frequency out into the world and the universe responds in accordance to our thoughts, words, and the images we hold in our minds. Being positive means thinking positively about the people, places, and things in our lives’. A positive attitude is a result of positive thinking. This constructive approach to thinking will spillover into other aspects of our lives’, increasing our health, business, happiness, relationships, and overall quality of life.

9. The Benefits Of Positive Thinking
Doesn’t cost a thing! It’s free!
You have the power to change and be in control of your life. Change your attitude at any time
Life becomes easier
You become more creative
You become more acquainted with your “Self”
You increase the mind-body connection, thereby increasing your health
Enhances immunity
Increases longevity
Relieves stress
Increases energy
The benefits of positive thinking are limitless. It’s a prescription your doctor never has to write. It’s a pill you never have to swallow and it doesn’t cost a thing, because it’s free. Each of us possesses the power to change and to be in control of our choices and in turn, the outcome of our lives’. It does not matter what we did last year, last month, last week, yesterday, or five minutes ago; we can change our attitude and our life at any time. When we start to think more positively about ourselves, life suddenly becomes lighter, more manageable, and easier to deal with. What seemed impossible or insurmountable suddenly appears effortless with a change in attitude. Positive thinking allows you to be more optimistic and more creative. It is the road that leads to discovering your true self. The health benefits of positive thinking are astonishing. With a positive change in attitude and thoughts, we are able to increase our mind-body connection, thereby enhancing our overall health by increasing our immunity, relieving stress, amplifying our longevity, and boosting our energy.

10. Ways To Stay Positive Make being positive a habit
Make a commitment to being positive and being happy
Be aware of your thoughts, feelings and how they are affecting your attitude
Make the choice to be positive instead of negative, it is in your control
Take immediate action
Our attitudes and our thoughts are contagious. We affect everyone we meet, either consciously or subconsciously, by what we think about, our feelings, and the mannerisms that we portray. Positive attitude, thoughts, words, and actions bring about positive and happy outcomes; therefore, it is essential for us to make being positive a habit, since our habits affect our attitudes. We owe it to ourselves to make a commitment to being positive and being happy, no matter the situation. By being aware of our thoughts and feelings, we will be in a better position to positively influence our attitude. Everything is a choice; therefore, choose to be positive instead of negative. It is within our control and don’t procrastinate. Take immediate action to change your thoughts so you can change your life.

11. What Does It Mean To Believe?
The meaning of the word “Believe” is interpretive. There are many perceptions and definitions of what it means to believe.
To believe in something…
-you have confidence in or take something to be true or real
-to have faith
It is a feeling
Trusting that what you want, can, and will happen
What does it mean to believe in ourselves, the universe, and other people? The meaning of the word believe, is interpretive. It means different things to different people. There are many perceptions and definitions of what it means to believe. To believe in something means that you have confidence in or take something to be true or real. It is a deep-rooted feeling that involves a strong faith and a trusting heart that what you desire and want can and will happen.

12. The Power Of Believing If you believe something, then it will happen.
What you believe in, is what you get.
Scientists have proven that if a person believes they are sick and going to die, they probably will. And if someone believes that they will recover and survive, they will actually get better and go on to live a long, healthy life
There is a hidden power that lies within each of us. This power will make our wildest dreams come true. It will bring us great riches in the form of money, relationships, love, and health. This power lies in the belief we have in ourselves and our abilities. If you believe something will happen, then you will make it so. What you think about and what you believe in is what you will get. We cannot change our external environment before we change our internal world. It is imperative for us to first believe that we deserve to be wealthy, to be happy, and above all, to be healthy. Scientists have proven that if a person believes they are sick and going to die, they probably will. And if someone believes that they will recover and survive, they will actually get better and go on to live a long, healthy life.

13. Practice Makes Perfect
Many of us were raised not to believe or to think limiting thoughts, i.e. the common phrase, “If you can’t see it, it’s not real”
Practice believing that things will turn out the way that you want. That you can find solutions to your problems and that you will get what you want for your life
Take small steps towards believing. Start with believing for a second, then a minute, then 2, etc.
Practice makes perfect or should I say, perfect practice makes perfect. Perfection is an illusion. We strive for perfection; however, perfection can be hidden in imperfect or less than an ideal situation or circumstance. What one perceives as being flawed can actually possess great potential and opportunity. Many of us were raised to believe or to think limiting thoughts without realizing it. For example, a common phrase that can be heard is, “If you can’t see it, it’s not real”. This is incredibly damaging because it is preventing the immense possibilities of the impossible. Just because someone deems an event or situation to be beyond reach, does not mean that the task cannot be accomplished. This is where the practice of believing comes into play. By training oneself to believe that things will turn out the way that they want, they will be invoking the great power of belief, which will attract their desires to them. It will help people to find solutions to problems that will get them what they want in life. Take small steps each day towards believing more. Start with believing for a second, then a minute, then fifteen minutes, and an hour until you find yourself in a constant state of belief.

14. What Is The Meaning Of Self?
Touch your nose, now touch your arms, then your legs, and your toes
Did you feel something… what was it?
Was it yourself or was it your “Self”?
Knowing yourself and being aware of your “Self” are two separate things
self - represents your existence in the world, your ego, which thinks compulsively of its future
“Self” – is simply knowing and being present.
-the ‘here and now’
What is the meaning of self? Can anyone here tell me what the meaning of self is? Has anyone ever caught a glimpse of their reflection in a pond or their shadow on a walk way and wondered who they are? Are you more than your reflection? Everyone take a moment, touch your nose, touch your arms, then your legs, then your toes. Did you feel something? What was it? Was it yourself? Or was it your “Self”? Knowing yourself and being aware of your “Self” are two separate things. The perception of your reflection is simply a picture of yourself; however, it cannot even begin to capture the essence of your true “Self”. Yourself, or your physical being, represents your existence in the world. Your ego thinks compulsively of its presence and continuation of life into the future. Your other “Self” is simply knowing and being present in the here and now of the moment. It is pure, untouchable, and infinite.

15. Conscious Or Unconscious?
You are able to learn about your “Self” consciously and develop your “Self” unconsciously.
One can learn about his/her “Self”, while consciously doing so. (i.e. being aware of what your conscious “Self” is saying while you are thinking or speaking in the real world)
Most people are living life unconsciously conscious
The question is often posed, to be or not to be? However, I will add to it and ask another. Is our conscious mind more important than our unconscious mind? Our conscious mind is simply the tip of the iceberg. It is a small representation of who we truly are. Our true “Self” and the great power that we posses does not lie out in the open but beneath the surface. By being open and aware and learning about our “Self” consciously, we will be in a better position to develop our true “Self” unconsciously and release the best within us. One can learn about his/her “Self”, while consciously being aware of what our conscious “Self” is saying while we are thinking and speaking in the real world. Most people are living life unconsciously conscious.

16. Actively “Self” What does it mean to exist…or be?
What does it mean to exist…or be? If we are breathing and our heart is beating are we alive? The soul is the true essence of the being, which exists dependently with the human form. Our bodies simply are the vessels, which carries us through the days. They are for rational activity, whereas our souls are for “Self” activity. To truly understand the body and all of its workings, we must start by understanding the soul-the activity of being “Self”. It is here that we will discover our true talents and abilities for health and happiness.
What does it mean to exist…or be?
The soul is the true essence of the being, which exists dependently with the human form
Our bodies are for rational activity, whereas our souls are for “Self” activity
To truly understand the body and all of its workings, we must start by understanding the soul-the activity of being “Self”

17. “Self” and Senses
“Self” awareness is not dependent upon the senses of self.
One’s “Self” does not need to taste, touch, see, hear, or smell to be truly aware of being
self changes but “Self” stays constant
Everyone’s perceptions of everything do not belong to anything, but everything belongs to everyone
Self” awareness is not dependent upon the senses of self but rather the sense of “Self awareness”. One’s “Self” does not need to taste, touch, see, hear, or smell to be truly aware of being alive. The physical self is constantly changing but the true “Self” stays constant. Everyone’s perceptions of everything do not belong to anything, but everything belongs to everyone. Take a moment to sense your surroundings, smell the flowers and become in touch with your “self”.

18. Change Your Thinking To Change Your World
Is the little voice in your mind positive or negative?
Be conscious of your thoughts and feelings; your internal world reflects your reality
Recognize that you have a choice to change the little voice!
See the world how you want it to be, not how you think it really is
We each possess the power within us to change ourselves and in turn change our world. It is imperative that we pay careful attention to the little voice in our minds. Are the words we uttering to ourselves positive or negative? If they are negative, we need to gently replace them with more positive language. By being conscious of our thoughts and feelings; our internal world will change and begin to reflect in our reality. Recognize that we have a choice to change the little voice! See the world how you want it to be, not how you think it really is.

19. In Summary
Norman Vincent Peale once said, “The world is what we think it is. If we can change our thoughts, we can change the world.”
Attitude is important. It affects everything we do.
Feelings, behaviors, and beliefs influence attitude.
Like attracts like.
Make positive thinking a habit.
Think positive to be positive.
Believe in yourself.
Be conscious of your thoughts and stay in tune to you true “Self”.
Discovering your true “Self”, thinking positive thoughts, and having a good attitude is just as important to your health as the food you eat and the exercise you get.
By changing the way we look at things, the things we look at will ultimately change for either better or worse. The choice is up to us. Our perception greatly influences our attitude, which in turn affects our health and well-being.

20. References
Anderson, Mac. (2004 Mar 11). The power of attitude. Thomas Nelson.
Cassam, Quassim. (1994 Mar 10). Self-knowledge. Oxford University Press: USA.
Hajee, Karim. (2005). Power of believing: how you can create the life you want. Creating and Power and Karim Hajee.
Howard, Vernon. (1975). The power of your supermind. Prentice Hall: New Jersey.
Keller, Jeff. (2007 Feb 15). Attitude is everything: change your attitude and you can change your life. INTI Publishers and Resource Books, Inc.
Perry, John. (2002 Jun). Identity, persona identity, and the self. Hackett Pub Company, Inc.