When I speak about the importance of using positive language to move you toward your goals, some of you may be wondering, "Jeff, do I say these positive words to myself or do I also say these words to other people?" You may be afraid that if you tell others about your goals, they'll think you're being conceited - and they may even laugh at you. Allow me to suggest a few guidelines in this area, with the understanding that there are no "hard and fast" rules - and you should do what works best for you. To begin with, use positive self-talk as often as possible. In my view, the more the merrier. After all, You're talking to yourself, so you don't have to worry about others hearing your comments. The key is that you hear this positive input again and again... and it becomes deeply rooted in your subconscious mind. Whether to share your goals with other people is a much trickier issue. One thing I've learned is this: Never discuss your goals with negative people. All they'll do is argue and point out all the reasons why you won't be successful. Who needs that? Often, these "negative nellies" are the ones who do little or nothing in their own lives. They have no goals or dreams- and they don't want anyone else to succeed, either. Yet, there are some instances when you can benefit by telling others about your goals. First of all, make sure that you're speaking with some who's extremely positive and totally supportive of your efforts. This should be the kind of person who would be absolutely delighted if you achieved this goal.... and would do anything in his or her power to assist you. You may have a friend or colleague that fits this role- or certain family members. it's also important to share your goals with others who are working with you to achieve that outcome. For example, if a sales manager wants to increase sales in the coming year 20 per cent, he or she would make this goal known to everyone on the staff. Then, everyone can work together to achieve it. Even though I'm encouraging you to use positive words to move you towards your objectives, I'm not suggesting that you ignore the obstacles that you may face- or that you discourage feedback from other people. Before embarking on any goal, you want to prepare for what may be coming down the road. Personally,I prefer to discuss those issues with someone who is positive ... someone whose feedback includes creative solutions to the difficulties that may arise. Furthermore, I'll only discuss my plans with people who are qualified to render an intelligent opinion on the subject. If you're thinking of going into your own business, it simply makes no sense to consult with your Uncle Elmer, especially if Uncle Elmer is negative and worked for someone else all of his life. What does he know about owning a business? He'll give you a list of reasons NOT to go into business for yourself. After your little chat with Uncle Elmer, you'll start to doubt yourself. You don't need that kind of help!