My 2 ½ year old daughter, Annabella, recently became enthralled with the book, “The Little Engine That Could.” You remember the one, right? Where the little tiny engine tries with all her might to haul a big train over the mountain and succeeds by chanting over and over again: “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

It hit me like a ton of bricks – this book had been my very first encounter with affirmations. I remember saying, “I think I can” when I was faced with a challenge as a kid. And as I saw myself overcoming difficulties, I learned deep in my heart that our thoughts and beliefs are powerful. We have the power to create what we want in our lives.

A sticker I recently encountered states:

“You don’t have to face reality. YOU CAN CREATE IT!”

Case in point: the story of the 4-minute mile. In 1954, runner Roger Bannister defeated the widely held belief that running a 4-minute mile was impossible. Before his triumph, people thought it was impossible for a human to go that fast. But he didn’t let that belief stop him from going for it. He applied “I think I can” magic and broke the record. And then, lo and behold, a month later another runner followed suit, and many more have since. All because the belief became reality.

I have experienced the power of affirmations over and over again in my life. From making manifest the small but handy statement of “I love rock star parking” to the biggest “Happy, healthy Zen baby” and “I love rubbing elbows with leaders I admire.” My life has unfolded in the most magical way over the last couple of years due in large part to the “I think I can” mindset.

So, where in your life could you use a little “I think I can” magic?

Is there an area that you’re saying “I can’t” or where you’re believing that what you want is not possible?

Apply the “I think I can” principle and see how shifting your perspective changes the situation. Comment below and let me know what you find…because I don’t just think you can do it: I know you can!