CPA Exam Motivation Tip 2: The Power of Positive Thinking
September 14, 2009 | Posted by Steve (cpastories) 
http://cpastories.com - positive thinking for the cpa exam - moleskine notebook pic
Where do you get the motivation to study at all? How do you keep studying when you don’t think you are getting it? How do you overcome the possibility of failure despite your best efforts? How do you overcome all the negative self-talk that might take place more often that you would like? How do you overcome the thoughts that something that you remember now may escape your brain during the exam? How do you stay motivated, minute in minute out, hour in hour out, day in day out, week in week out, month in month out? Actually, on this last question, all you need to do is keep yourself motivated minute in minute out, rinse and repeat!
For me, I find the POWER (to overcome and accomplish) in POSITIVE THINKING. It comes in all sorts of ways. Some people call it the Secret, other people call it Intention, others call it Will, Mind over Matter,… I prefer POSITIVE THINKING because that’s what Norman Vincent Pearle called it when he wrote his wonderful book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. I read it probably 12 years ago, [I wish I had read it sooner,] and it is one of the best books I have ever read. It is one of the best things I have ever done. One way to look at it is this, since you self-talk any way, why not keep the self-talk positive? Once you decide to try positive thinking, or positive self-talk, or auto-suggestion, or the secret, or whatever you call it, you have several ways to do it. Some people record themselves and listen to it. Others just read wholesome quotes and books and that affects the way they behave or act.
I look at it as having goals. I believe everybody has to have goals and track them. One way to track where you are with respect to accomplishing your goals is to review them often. Thus, you can have your positive thoughts, wishes, goals, meditations as your goals and review them often.
The image on the right is a picture of a page in my Moleskine notebook that I read almost daily (sometimes several times a day, as I prepared for the exam). I believe in the Power of Positive Thinking [even though sometimes I am conflicted on whether I am claiming the power to control my life over God's power. But that's a discussion for another day!]
What is your take on it? How do you maintain your motivation and focus? Feel free to leave a comment and share your method(s).
Thank you for reading and I hope you found that helpful.
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Categories: CPA Exam Tips, Goals, Happiness | 
Tags: cpa exam, CPA Exam Tips, motivation, pass cpa exam, Positive Thinking, tips | 
4 Comments »
I think that that is a great idea! I am also a huge proponent of positive thinking and affirmations. When I set a goal, in order to get myself to follow through on it, I write on my mirror with a whiteboard marker one thing that I can do that day to help me reach my goal. And I do this daily. That way I am always reminded to stay on track. Then, below it, I like to write a positive punch – something like, “You can do it!”
I have always enjoyed books on the subject too- and will have to check out that one out. Roger CPA Review’s blog also has a few posts on positive thinking and motivation for the CPA Exam:
http://blog.rogercpareview.com/2009/01/importance-of-confidence.html
http://blog.rogercpareview.com/2008/12/when-it-comes-to-cpa-exam-you-need-plan.html
love the blog- keep up the good work!
Morgan,
Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment, and also for the kinds words.
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I really liked the posts (at your links). I liked the visualization of the CPA certificate (in your first link).
What other Positive Thinking books have you read? [Just curious.
I like the “Chicken Soup” series.