How to Find the Doing That Arises from Your Being

"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." --Muhammad Ali

One of the best tests for figuring out if you're doing that which arises from your being is to modify Muhammad Ali's famous affirmation by saying out loud: "I am the greatest _____________ of all time," and fill in the blank with what you're doing right now. If this isn't really the doing that arises from your being, you probably won't even be able to finish saying this short sentence. And if you do finish it, the words will feel like bits of cardboard in your mouth.

If, on the other hand, the words roll off your tongue with fluidity and ease, you've found the right doing for you (and you probably already know that). Now, to achieve greatness in that doing, put aside any misplaced, misguided, culturally-induced sense of supposed humility you're supposed to harbor within your soul and say your own version of this affirmation as many times as you think of it throughout the day. Tinker with it to come up with your own wording to make it more personal to you, then make it your habit to think it and to say it as often as possible. Say it both to yourself and to other people. That's right, say it to other people. If you do, you will achieve greatness, guaranteed.

For those of you with cardboard in your mouthes, spit it out! Your task now is to find a doing that fits in that blank that makes you feel fantastic when you say it. What would you put there if you could "make your life to order," as Napoleon Hill put it? Have courage! Be daring! Fill in that blank with exactly what you would like to be doing, and then say it with as much feeling and excitement as you can muster as often as you can, both to yourself and to other people. That's right, to other people. If you do, you will achieve greatness, guaranteed.

Do you want to be a podiatrist? Then say, "I am the greatest podiatrist of all time!" Do you want to be a librarian? Then say, "I am the greatest librarian of all time!" Do you want to be an actor? Then you better be saying with every breath you take, "I am the greatest actor of all time!"

Put whatever spin you want to put on it. If you think becoming an actor requires more publicity skills than acting ability, say, "I am the greatest publicity hound of all time!" But be aware, you may end up as a D-list actor or as a publicity agent for other actors with this one, although you will be a great one of either if you say this enough.

Have courage! Be daring! As often as possible, say that you are great with great feeling, just as Ali did, even before you know that you are. This works, and it will work for you.

You might also like: Where Do Affirmations Come From?