I doubt that anyone here in the western world doesn’t to some degree understand the power of advertising. When companies are willing to pay $4 – 5 million dollars for a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl you have to know that industry understands the power of advertising. The power of advertising is based on the power of thought.
Companies are fully aware that if they can get you thinking about their product and get you hooked emotionally then your decision to purchase is soon to follow. The entire advertising industry is based on the fact that behaviour flows out of our thoughts. It is not the reverse. That is why everyone in the industry is trying to get you to think about their product. It is also true about politicians, philosophers and every action group from saving the saw whet owls to global warming. If we can just get people to think on any given subject their actions will flow out of their thoughts.
People try to control or change their emotions. But behind every emotion is a thought pattern. You want to change your emotions you have to change your thinking. You want to change your behaviour you have to change your thinking. If you are in a business and not being successful then you have to change your thinking before your business will improve.
It simply is not possible for someone to have their mind filled with pessimism, negative thoughts, critical mindset and cynical to live a successful and influential life. We must begin to be aware of what goes into our minds. We must make conscious decisions as to the thoughts that fill our minds. So, what should we be thinking about?
1. True. We need to begin with the things that are objectively true. Those things that follow common sense and reality. Some times we let our mind dwell on thoughts that are not based upon the truth. We get ourselves worked up into a lather over some piece of false information. Wars have even been started on false or half-truths.
2. Honorable. What we are talking about here is something worthy respect. Is this something that if even uplifting? There is so much trash in the commercials today that we have to be careful what commercials we watch. They are so filled with put-downs and treating each other only for what we can get. There are commercials today that promote lying to parents, employers and friends.
3. Right. This word implies justice. Is this right or wrong? Is this truth or lies? Our society today has lost this ability to discern right and wrong. We are only interested in what is “right” for me. The definition for the word ‘right’ is very fluid in today’s world.
4. Pure. This is another that the world does not want to hear. This word means to be pure from defilement of immorality. We see in our world the debasement and abuse of people only to satisfy their own immorality. People are seen as sex objects to satisfy themselves. It doesn’t take much study of history to know that when a nation becomes overtly immoral the nation will soon cease to exist.
5. Lovely. The word means attractive, winsome, or beautiful. This word calls for a response that starts in the heart. When we see something our response is a great feeling from the heart. We see the beauty for what it is, not what we can use it for or get.
6. Of good repute. The literal meaning is fair speaking or speaking well of. Are the words we are hearing speaking well of that person or thing? TV commercials a few decades ago only spoke of their product. They spoke of the benefits of their product. Now they speak despairingly of their competition. They try to build their product by putting down their competition.
7. Anything of excellence and worthy of praise. Just in case anything was missed in the preceding words these two phrases cover everything.
Get your thoughts right and the emotions, behaviours, and the great consequences of life will follow. All of these things are important for everyone. They are universal principles. Obviously then these are very important to those who would become successful in the business world like Charles Harper who is finding success with Everyday Wealth.
James Heller
