BE YOUR OWN GOOD NEWS AUTHOR Creating Good News Headlines In An Often Not-So-Good World © Lee Wise 2003 All rights reserved

"READ ALL ABOUT IT!"

In world of literature headlines are designed to draw our attention to product, service or event author wants us to focus our attention on at any given moment.

Headlines are designed to cause us to internalize a variety of responses. Maybe even some like these:

"I wonder if this is true? I'll check it out."

"That's right! I identify. Those other wacky diets have failed me too. I'm going to look into this."

"Good heavens: that's awful. How could anyone think that way?"

"My mom sure could use this. I mean, all these people can't be wrong... right?"

"It's only that much?"

"That's interesting."

"I would like to be feel that way -- just once."

"I admire that type of person."

A good headline, in other words, causes us to respond. We become engaged at a different level with author because he or she got our attention.

A good headline can be powerful.

Now hold on to that thought while I redirect your attention to idea of...

CREATING YOUR HEADLINE FOR THIS COMING WEEK

"Create your own headline -- what are you talking about?"

I'm talking about creating your own "good news" headline for week. A mental filter that will cause you to focus your attention on good things around you.

That's right: good events. The common, everyday stories of people who are doing and saying things that bring beauty into our world.

The wife who gently kisses her child in a grocery store after work -- even though she is exhausted.

The laughter you hear down hall because someone is a bright individual and others relate to him or her.

The person you work with who takes time to write a sincere note of thanks for a seemingly small act on your part.

The phone call that meant so much.

The friend who loaned you his car while yours was being repaired.

The good news you heard on television.

A QUESTION FOR YOU

Is that true?

Well, to an extent, yes.

The longer we keep a habit, more it becomes part of our subconscious, and breaking it does indeed take a lot of hard work from conscious mind.

The hardest habits to break, and easiest to form, are usually ones which make us feel good!

The hardest to *form* and *easiest* to break, are ones which we impose on ourselves to try and change our lives.

This is because they usually involve sacrifice of some sort.

It might be effort to exercise, it might be missing out that slice of cake, and it might be saving some extra money instead of treating yourself.

Our subconscious won’t like these habits, and at slightest opportunity, will drop them like a stone, and march us straight back to old habits.

Fear of change also plays a part in this, our old habits are comfortable, even if we know they are unconstructive to our lives.

When it comes to self-improvement, I see and read it so many times, that people feel great when they read a book or go to a seminar, and make changes in their life with great intentions.

However, once initial enthusiasm wears off, or they don’t see immediate results, they go right back to how they were before, and eventually get cynical about self-improvement industry.

Obviously you are not like this my friend, or you wouldn’t be reading this little old article!