The mental movies that we play in our minds has a direct impact on what plays out in our lives in the future.

Take my life as an example. Starting a company from scratch can be a daunting experience. Instead of looping the message that I’m overwhelmed with all the stuff I have to learn, that I don’t have the time or the resources to make it happen, how there’s so much to do and see and know, etc., I make a point to constantly switch the soundtrack.

I tell myself that I’m gaining new wisdom and understanding on a daily basis. I tell my mind that God is revealing new mysteries to it every single day. That He’s providing me with the answers. Guiding my every step. I picture a future based on faith, rather than on my fears. And then I slowly etch over that picture on a daily basis, carefully carving that image into my mental canvas so that when an alternate message tries to stick, it simply can’t. Because it won’t fit with the grooves on my mind.

I want to emphasize that it’s important that the image we hold, the goal we’re striving for, is in line with God’s Word or, better yet, specifically given by God. This is the case with Mills Creative Minds and the book I’m currently writing. One day back in May I was praying, asking God how I could generate more money to support some missionaries overseas. A few hours later He literally woke me up in the middle of the night and gave me the ideas. The message.

Create & pursue Mills Creative Minds and write the book.

Just like that. It was as if someone rang a bell or a musical triangle. The message was clear, and it resonated within me. So my current God-given goal is absolutely crystal in my mind. There is no question what I’m striving for, aiming to achieve.

Don’t think I’m unique in this ability to hear from Him, by the way. I believe God will guide each and every one one of us if we’ll only pursue Him more than our own goals. If we’ll put Him in His rightful position in our lives, He WILL reward that kind of faith and obedience.

So how do we go about switching out the film? Turning off the movies of failure and fear for one of faith and hope? Start by imagining yourself succeeding in the area where you strongly desire success. Imagine a screen on the wall in front of you. And on that screen, see yourself doing the very thing you long to do. Then loop this movie over and over and over again in your mind. Play it and replay it and memorize it. The dialogue, the motions, the emotions – take it all in.

Since I work from home and spend a lot of time here in my office, I’ve modified this method just a bit. When I spend time with God, I sit in a glider rocking chair across the room, facing the desk. So sometimes I pick up an empty photo frame – just the naked frame itself, with no backing or anything – and I hold it up in front of me, “framing” the desk. And then I begin making my movie.

I picture myself sitting at the desk, working. Coming up with new ideas. Exploring them, doing the research, designing them on the computer. I envision myself making the sell sheets to send to manufacturers, calling them and talking to prospective partners. I watch as I negotiate a contract, collect royalties, and I see myself thanking God as His plan falls into place. And finally, I picture myself giving money away. Writing Ray & Laura Pittman and telling them that they’ll never have to buy plane tickets again. That from this point on, I’ve got it covered.

It’s quite a movie. And I loop it again and again and again and again, so that as I make my way through the process I have a groove of success already carved out for me. And any distractions and complications I run into will either adapt to that permanent groove, or slide away. It might sound strange. It might sound hokey, but it works.

Those who are knocking this idea aside in your heads? Have you achieved what you hoped to achieve up to this point? Done what you set out to do years ago? If so, then keep doing what you’re doing. But if not? Why not give this a try? (Really, what have you got to lose?)

Kevin