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If you want to change your life, you have to change the way that you think. Easier said then done. I know lots of people that want to give up smoking, that want to lose weight, that want to improve themselves and although they may start off with the best intentions they don't seem to get very far in their efforts.

You can blame your subconscious for that. The part of your brain that controls the core of you, that forms your behaviour. All your thoughts - negative and positive, your capabilities, hopes and dreams are embedded in there. Your future is literally shaped with what beliefs you have of yourself which you hold in your mind.

An example as to the power of the mind: take two people that are the same build, same weight, same sex, same in every way apart from the way they think - both have to run 100 metres, have never run before and are in excellent health. Person A is thinking, 'I can't do this, I was never any good at running. I'm going to fall, I look stupid - I know I can't do it, I know I can't.' Person B is thinking, ' I can do this. I am focused. I will look upon this as a challenge. I know I can only do my best. I can see myself finishing. '

Whom do you think is more likely to succeed? Who has the better mindset? Person B obviously. People that tell themselves they can do something - they can do it! If you prepare yourself for a fall, then it is more likely you will fall. Tell your brain the opposite and the results can be amazing. We are surrounded by success stories everyday from athletes who break world records, business men that turn round failing companies , inventors who invent something against all odds and the list goes on. These type of people share something in common - they believe they can achieve their goals and they have complete faith in themselves. Sure they have their 'down' days too, but they do not let their negative thoughts consume them. Their subconscious is working for them and not against them.

Make your subconscious work for you by changing any negative thoughts into positive through the use of affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements which are repeated over and over. This is a powerful and effective technique and changes can be felt almost immediately. Regular use results in permanent change.

Each morning you could start the day like this for example:

'I am alive, I am awake, I am alert, I am healthy. I am focused, I am capable, I am strong, I am successful. Today I open myself up to opportunities and bring myself one step closer to my goals.'

Go to a mirror and look at yourself, now say the above affirmation five times aloud with authority and meaning. How do you feel afterwards? Energised? Ready for the day? Confident? What a lovely way to begin the day!

Choose what you want to improve about yourself or a goal you want to achieve and write down ten affirmations relating to this. Repeat them morning and night and frequently throughout the day. Anytime you feel yourself sliding into a negative mindset - say your affirmations. Believe what you say. Say it with conviction. Write them down, put post-its all over the house - keep the affirmations in your mind. Focus on them.

What you are doing is reprogramming your mind, you may not notice the subtle changes to begin with but you will notice a huge improvement in yourself or your situation in a matter of weeks. Instead of your subconscious constantly being told 'I can't do this'I'm not good at that'', you are telling it 'I can do this' I am this!' You are reprogramming yourself to believe, to know that you are able to do all the things that you want to do and be all the things that you want to be; and most probably already are but up until now your negativity has stood in the way of you realising it.

Nothing is beyond your reach. The world is your oyster. Your subconscious is an almighty force, start taking control of it and see what will transpire in your life. Remember it's part of you, and it will create whatever you tell it to. Now go write those affirmations and get what you want.