How Napoleon Hill Focuses and Motivates my Running

"I Could Never"

As a vegetarian and long distance runner, I have heard those three words over and over for over a decade. “I could never give up meat.” “I could never run that far.”

“I could never” is often a self-limiting excuse masked as praise.

“I’m not able to do that yet” or “I don’t have the passion to commit to that” is what many people mean to say. By saying “I could never,” they subconsciously shut down their potential by telling themselves they are not capable of achieving anything they put their minds to.

When I finished my half marathon I officially crossed “I could never” off of the list of things I say. I can choose a goal, and I can commit the time to achieving it. If I am passionate about my goal, I have the motivation to succeed.

For me, running a half marathon means “I could never” limit myself again.

I subscribe to the Napoleon Hill newsletter and I try to incorporate his teachings into my sports and personal life. Here is his self confidence formula. Find out more about Napoleon Hill at www.naphill.org

I first believed that I could run a half marathon, then dedicated myself to training for the half marathon with persistant, continuous action. I thought about what completing the half marathon would change in my life, and what it would feel like at the finish line of the race. I shared the experience of training with my fellow Albany Running Exchange members and running friends I follow on Twitter. I helped and cheered on other runners and accepted their help and assistance.

Self-Confidence Formula
by Dr. Napoleon Hill

I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life; therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.

I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore, I will concentrate my thought, for thirty minutes daily, upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture.

I know through the principle of autosuggestion, any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.

I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life, and I will never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant, and successful, person.

Source: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

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