"Mommy, if you doubt it, it's not going to happen"

My very wise 8 year old was telling me a story this morning.  He was praying while he was getting ready for school, and he shared his prayers with me.  What he was praying for - a baby brother - is unlikely at best.  When I told him I doubted that was going to happen,  his response was, "Mommy, if you doubt it, it's NOT going to happen."

WOW, right?  How many times a day, whatever journey you're on, do you doubt yourself, your abilities, your choices and decisions?  How many times, conversely, do you focus on what you really want, REALLY need, and know, with absolute conviction, that those things are going to happen?

I am absolutely positive that, by the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend, I will be working at a job I love, for a reasonable salary, with people that appreciate me.  Whether that means I start next week, or that Tuesday, there is not a doubt in my mind that I will be where I should be.  How do I come by that conviction?  I am not sure.  Positive thinking, "The Secret" and the power of prayer - or some combination thereof. 

This is not to say that I am sitting on the couch, eating bon bons and waiting for my wonderful new boss to pick up the phone and offer me my dream job.   I am under no illusion that this feeling of certainty doesn't require a significant effort on my part, only that my efforts will yield the results that I am wishing for.

I am reaching out to everyone I know, and people are amazing.  I have  job leads forwarded to me regularly, and several are very interesting.  People are recognizing strengths in me that I was not necessarily emphasizing, leading me in directions that are exciting and energizing.

Think about what you really want, and go after it with a sense of purpose.  Do not doubt your abilities, your self worth or your aspirations and dreams.  Put it "out there" and what is right will be.

Have you read "The Secret"?

There are days...days when life seems really hard.  Days when it seems like you have had more than your fair share of ***, days when things seem really unfair.

I have been very blessed.  I know it.  That doesn't mean that there are not days when I am frustrated, tired or fed up.  That does mean, however, that I will not wallow.

It stinks that I was laid off.  I miss my job, I miss my friends, I miss feeling useful.  I miss having a really great answer when someone asks me what I do.  I don't miss the stress of the last couple of months at my job, or the uncertainty, but I do miss the satisfaction of a job well-done.

All of that said, I am convinced that I am going to end up in a position I love, in an organization that makes a positive impact on the world around us.  I am absolutely certain that will happen, and that I will have found that position by Labor Day, 2012. 

Keeping that optimism can be difficult, yet I have no doubt.  There are lots of reasons to be optimistic:  I am good at what I do.  I have tons of support from family and friends.  People believe in me.  I work hard, and I am tackling my job search like I do the other projects in my life - with dedication and an intolerance for failure.

There are just as many reasons NOT to be convinced:  the job market is crummy.  Marketing and public relations are positions that are often eliminated, and not always refilled.  Lots of people work hard, and many of them are smarter than I am.  There are some really, really great professionals looking for work at the same places I am. 

So, what makes the difference?  The Secret makes the difference.  Spend your time focused on the positive; set your goals and put them out to the universe.  BELIEVE in yourself and your goals and repeat them over and over.  Post them to Facebook, Linked In and blogs.  Talk about them to everyone you know.  BELIEVE...

If you are convinced, and convincing, others will be convinced too.  You are as strong as your convictions...and you're going to be successful if you truly believe.   I am going to be successful on this journey, and you're going to be right there by my side!