You are seven, bright and confident. One day in class your teacher asks a question. You put up your hand excitedly waiting until your name is called. Confidently you answer the question. The kids laugh, the teacher says "that's wrong - I'm surprised at you" You are embarrassed in front of your friends and the teacher who is the most important authority figure you know.. Your confidence is shaken - a seed of self doubt is sown.

In 1982 Jack Canfield, an expert on self esteem reported the results of a study in which 100 children assigned to a researcher for 1 day. In terms of comments made during the day: 460 were negative comments and only 75 were positive comments.

Continuous negative feedback is deadly. After several years we 'learn' the tricks of the trade and perpetuate the negative spiral.

Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal power comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.

You are 26, just joined a new company. fresh with ideas, enthusiastic, ambitious. At the meeting with the big boss you build up courage to put forward a novel idea you have been working on. Your idea is taken to bits piece by piece referring to subjective evidence rather than facts. You can't fight subjectivity especially when it's the boss's and you know that he doesn't want to hear your arguments. Next time you'll keep your ideas to yourself With many years of exposure it is no wonder that we find it easier to be negative and critical rather than positive and encouraging.