Imagine your brain as the most exotic specially designed computer ever made. You provide input, and in due time, the results you want start to occur in your life.

Now suppose a bumbling idiot came along, and he didn't know how to program this exquisite computer. So he input a bunch of contradictory data and false modesty and negative pattern interrupts. You can imagine the messy results that computer would start to spit out over time. To make things worse, this computer is split into compartments. One compartment is secret, but it's the default programming. The other part is the public domain part. It appears to be steering the machine, but if there is a contradiction between the secret department and the public department, the secret department always overrides the machine. And thanks to Mr. Bumbler, the computer is set on self-sabotage. Because Mr. Bumbler accidentally set it to self-destruct.

Have you sabotaged your own progress? Whenever you make a statement, you are programming your brain. Will you be an intelligent programmer, or will you be like Mr. Bumbler? And the more times you repeat the statement, the more you make superhighways in your brain to back up your belief systems.

For example, I once saw a business card that said, "Aspiring Artist". That sounds innocent enough. But what that really says to me is, "I'm not confident or bold enough to call myself a 'real artist.' It's a weasel clause. We all have them. Do you find yourself saying, "I'm not really a poet," or "I'm not really a dancer." I knew a juggler that practiced for 2 hours a day for years, yet he kept insisting, "I'm not really a juggler." What he really meant was, "I'm not a juggler's juggler. I'm not a world record holder. I'm not famous. I'm not on TV." But every time he said, "I'm not really a juggler," he was programming his brain to fail. To never quite reach his goal.

Here's a little test for you. Say for example, you always say, "I'm not a poet," but every chance you get you are posting poetry somewhere. For the sake of argument, give up poetry writing completely. Just stop doing it. If you are not going to claim ownership, quit. Now do you feel better? Do you feel more authentic?" Or do you feel like something is missing?

Okay, after you are convinced, take up poetry again. This time tell everyone you know that seems open that you are a poet. Feel better now? Is your soul jumping up and down for joy?

I had a friend that loved modern dance. One day she just quit. Realizing she could never be Martha Graham, she gave it up. Many years later, I could tell she was depressed about it. She spent two hours telling me how dance was no longer important to her. Perfectionism is the kiss of death for many artists.

At what point do we finally admit, "Yes, I'm a writer." Do we wait until we are on the NY Times Bestseller List? When will you really consider yourself a singer, or a poet, or a chef? Do you think something horrible will happen if you proclaim, "Yes, I'm really an actor." Do you think people will attack you and say, "Yeah, prove it."

Once in piano class the teacher asked me what I did when I wasn't playing piano. I said to him, "Well, I'm a writer." So he said, "Name something I've heard of that you've written." I'm not sure what I said, because I wasn't expecting such a blatant challenge in front of 40 students. But what I was thinking was, "I doubt you'll ever read anything I've ever written, but that doesn't mean I'm not a writer."

So when you affirm you are a writer or whatever, that will give you more power to achieve that success you are seeking. It will also help you grow a thicker skin when people challenge you.

Part of the problem stems from illusions of false modesty. And another big part is people, particularly women, are waiting for someone else to give them permission to be something. Saying something like, "I'm a comedian," will most likely bring the response, "Okay dude, say something funny." Ask any comedian. They'll be in the bathroom using the facilities and someone will come up to them and say, "Hey there, I know you. You are that comedian I saw on blankety blank. Do something funny."

And if you are self-employed, promoting yourself isn't just optional, it's mandatory. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? Whether you like selling or not, we are all selling something, so you may as well learn to be good at it.

But if you never claim the label, to a degree you can still hide behind the 'I'm not really a _____" mask. But you also can't get any recognition that way. Denying what you really are is to deny a part of yourself. It's programming your brain on a collision course. It's like a remote control car. You are telling it to go backwards and forwards at the same time, and it will either not go anywhere, or burn its engine out in the effort.

There is power in 'naming it and claiming it.' Here are some useful affirmations. If you don't feel up to shouting them from the rooftops, at least say them regularly in front of your mirror.

1. I am a loving person.

2. I am smart.

3. I am productive.

4. I give myself permission to be a ______________.

5. I am a writer because I write. ( Insert your own words in the blanks).

6. I am passionate about __________.

7. I am a success.

8. If my first decision doesn't work out, I will make a new one.

9. I am open to new opportunites and have the right to succeed.

10. I am making progress towards my dreams and goals.

11. I forgive everyone.

12. I feel great. (Repeat it until you believe it).

I hope this gives you some food for thought.

For those of you that have following the movie the Secret, that got a lot of national attention when Oprah did a show about it, hopefully now you will believe me and take my words to heart. Be proactive and rewire your thoughts to get them in line with your dreams and goals.

Also I've become aware of another set of words to take out of my vocabulary. The words "I need" as in I need lots of cash. If you start from a position of abundance (I have) and not from a position of lack (I need) you are more in accordance with divine principals.

A good affirmation for that is "I have a huge abundance of cash always at my fingertips."