Human beings are born with the ability to see patterns in things. Where there are no innate patterns, we tend to project them.

Learn to Look

It is much easier to notice something if we are already expecting to see it. The implication of this for changing your life is that you get what you focus on. If you focus on what you want, you will find it; if all you focus on is getting away from what you don't want, that is what you will find yourself returning to again and again.

Choose the Right Motivation

There are two kinds of motivation - toward what you want, and away from what you don't want. While "away from" motivation can be useful in administering the kick that you need to get started, it will give you inconsistent results. To help you keep going until you reach your goals, you need to ensure that your motivation is mainly focused on "toward."

Get Results Every Time

One of the chief arguments against "away from" motivation is that it leads to inconsistent results. If someone is motivated to make money primarily because they grew up in poverty and never want to go back there, their motivation will be to disappear as they start getting rich, and return once they have lost their money.

Behavioural experts have surmised that this is the reason that some millionaires make and lose their fortunes several times over as they are working "away from" motivation.

Pick your Motivation

Reach your goal with "toward" motivation. "Away from" motivation only helps you escape from what you don't want.

Limit the Drama in Your Life

We all face a certain amount of challenges and difficulties. Some people seem to attract difficulties even in quite straightforward situations where non previously existed.

This may reflect an unconscious need to be the hero or heroine in their own life story. When things are going well, they will unconsciously find a way of disrupting them so that they can continue in their heroic struggle.

Tip: Ask yourself if you would be happy to get what you want easily. You may be creating more drama than you need to be successful.