Ever had one of those mothers, or grandmothers, who would often say, "Be careful what you ask for?"

I did and always wondered exactly what she meant by that, but now, I know.

Do you realize the power that your words carry with them?

Your words have the power to persuade.

Your words have the power to build someone up or tear someone down.

You words have the power to change your life.

The problem is that most people don't realize the power that their words possess.

Ever said any of these things to or about yourself?

I'm dumb.
I'm stupid.
I'm fat.
I'm broke.
I couldn't possibly win.
I am probably going to be the one that gets fired.
I will more than likely, not be able to do it.
I can't win for losing.

I'm sure you have, at some time, used one of these sentences.

Do you realize that the things we speak about ourselves and the beliefs we place behind them manifest into our lives every day?

Let me tell you a story.

Lisa did really badly on her spelling test in the first grade. It was her first spelling test and she received an F.

She was upset and told herself that she simply could not spell.

It seemed like all the other kids in her class received an A or a B, but she had gotten an F. She must be really bad in spelling.

She started telling herself and anyone who would listen, that she had a hard time learning how to spell words. It seemed like no matter how much she tried; she always failed her spelling tests.

Eventually, Lisa gave up and simply believed that she was not a good speller and would never be a good speller.

Now, Lisa is 25 and she still has a hard time spelling words. When she writes a letter, she has to spell check it two and three times and have someone proof it for her because her spelling is so bad.

Some people will say, "Hey, some people simply aren't good at spelling and Lisa happens to be one of them."

I say that is not true.

Well, it is somewhat true because if these people have the BELIEF that they are bad at spelling then they will be bad at spelling.

But if Lisa started saying to herself, I am a good speller. And if she told this to anyone who cared to listen, and if she started having the belief that she was a good speller, Lisa will become a good speller. It's as simple as that.

It will happen that way for you too.

If there is something that you have difficulty with, the only reason you have difficulty with it is because you have told yourself that you have difficulty with it.

If you want to change anything about yourself, you must start with your words.

ACTION POINT: If you find yourself involved in a negative conversation about yourself, whether it is with someone or by yourself, stop yourself immediately and then rephrase your statement so that it is positive.

For example, "I am a GREAT speller, and I am determined to remain that way." And start to do the things that a great speller would do.

You might find yourself a winner at the local Spelling Bee.

Dawn Fields is a motivational speaker, author and life coach who teaches how to discover your life's purpose and incorporate it into a lucrative career. Visit the web site at http://www.dawnfields.com and sign up for Your Life's Purpose newsletter by sending a blank email to dawn@dawnfields.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Tune in Thursday at 9 p.m. EST to her live radio broadcast by clicking here http://www.dawnfields.com/radioshow.htm