We all have a "genie" within that is working around the clock to make us either sick, broke, and lonely . . . or happy, healthy, and successful. The subconscious mind works like a "genie" with the conscious mind who is "the master," dishing out orders every waking moment. The better understanding we have of how the mind works, the better we will be at reaching our goals.

Although familiar with the power of positive thinking, we are often frustrated with the gap between what we want and what we actually get. Even though we acknowledge the successful application of this principle among athletes and individuals who overcome tremendous physical challenges, our personal application at work, school, and at home is either not practiced or vaguely applied and rendered useless.

In order to close the gap between what you "want" and what you "have," here are 5 things to remember in order to get the most out of your "genie":

1. Your genie never stands still. It is constantly at work whether you realize it or not to create the thought/pictures you have in your mind.
2. Your genie cannot argue with you. It accepts every single thought as a command, positive or negative, empowering or limiting, and goes to work to make it happen whether it's good for you or not.
3. Your genie needs to be told what you want, not what you don't want. It doesn't know the difference. So sometimes you end up with what you don't want because that is the picture you are holding in your mind the most.
4. Your genie needs more time for some orders than for others . . . so don't give up. Just like some seeds need more time to germinate than others. And the more emotionally connected you are to the picture/thought, the faster and more effectively your genie will create it.
5. Your genie likes clear, consistent, specific orders. If you stay confused, your genie doesn't know what to do, so nothing seems to happen.

You have been blessed with a very powerful mind. It is like a muscle to be developed. Paying attention to your innermost thoughts is some of the most rigorous work you will ever do . . . and yet, the most important. As you've heard it said, "As a man (or woman) thinketh, so shall he become." Think of your mind as a genie, and you will more quickly and successfully create a life . . . As You Wish!

Tina Shearon is the co-author of the popular book, "As You Wish." For copies, call 303.587.9077 (quantity discounts available).