When I first watched the movie ‘The Secret’ I felt as if I’d had an epiphany. For the first time in my life I could see why certain areas of my life had always let me down. I have always had problems in my personal relationships. I have been married twice and my last long term relationship of 7 years ended when my partner tragically died at the age of 43 last year.

The Pessimists are a lovely family who live in a neat semi in a medium sized town. They have two teenage children and a dog. The Optimists are another pleasant family who live in the same street and town. They also have a dog, two children and are related to the Pessimists through marriage.

My relationships have never been plain sailing and I now know that in the past I was always sub consciously expecting the worst – and guess what? That’s what I got. I got into the habit of half expecting them not work out and was just waiting for it to happen – glass half empty! I now realise that these and other areas of my life have been decided by my negative mindset. I must point out that I have been married twice and my last long term relationship of 7 years ended when my partner tragically died last year. I bear none of my ex partners any bad will and have fond memories of the good times we shared.

Mr Optimist works alongside Mr Pessimist in the factory, but is not in a senior position. His wife works part time in a busy bakers shop. He is glad to hear that orders are picking up at the factory and has booked the family summer holiday well in advance to allow them to look forward to it during the cold winter months. His wife starts early in the bakers where it is extremely hot and heavy work. She enjoys the companionship of her colleagues and is thinking about applying for the under manager’s vacancy as she has been watching the job being done for several years. The children are not outstandingly academic at school but seem to be doing well at the subjects they enjoy. From early on in life this family have expected each other to do as well as they can and are taking advantage of the education system to achieve their ambition of getting to university. They laugh together each evening and like to imagine what life will be like when they are all older. They talk about self improvement and the possibilities that life has to offer, how they could earn more money and what paths they should take.

“Well that’s a good thing surely”, I hear you say. The problem was I always thought this was something that was going to happen to me in the future – whenever that was – I never put a time or an age on it – just that it would be in the future.

The first two stones can be addressed and improved with a positive change in your mindset, attitude and lifestyle but what about MONEY?

My dream was always to be successful and achieve great financial success. This was one part of my life where I just knew I would find a way to succeed at this. This was a positive belief I had always kept with me and was convinced I would make this a reality some time in my future. As an adult, I have had success in various areas but had never quite reached the heights I wanted to achieve.

The best way to assess this is to ask yourself what gives you pleasure, what do you enjoy doing most – even if it’s doing housework (yes really). Then think of some way in which you can earn money doing what you enjoy. Find a gap in the market for your services. It is now my belief that you are more likely to succeed in life if you choose a career that involves helping others to achieve their aims.

We all have choices in life and if we look for opportunities to improve our circumstances we will find them. If we are blinded by pessimism then we will not be able to recognise them when they come looking for us.

Liz Docherty is an accountant from the West coast of Scotland and a successful internet marketer who coaches and mentors people on a daily basis to achieve Online financial success Discover how she trebled her income in under 6 months!!!