Our thoughts are a marinade for the mind. Positive thoughts create positive, confident choices and, ultimately, success. But research shows that a full 75% of our thinking is negative, and that can lead to fear, discouragement, and frustration.

The good news is that positive thinking is a specific skill that can be learned and improved upon. Here's how to replace your negative thoughts with more positive ones by creating and using your own affirmations.

Step One Ask yourself: What about your life would you most like to change? Make a brief list of your most significant life challenges.

Step Two Narrow down these challenges into specifics. (Example: "I owe a lot of money" becomes "I owe money to credit card companies.")

Step Three For each challenge, brainstorm all of the possible solutions. Visualize the best possible outcome of your problem.

Step Four State this outcome in a clear, direct sentence, and keep the focus on specifics. Write your affirmation in the present tense and in a positive way. (Example: "I will pay off my credit card debt" becomes "I can pay off my credit card debt." )

If you find objections surfacing in the form of negative self-talk, restate the objection in the form of a positive thought. (Example: Affirmation: "I can pay off my credit card debt." Objection: "I can't come up with that kind of money!" New affirmation: "I can find ways to earn all the money I need.")

Print your affirmations and place them where you'll see them throughout the day and repeat your affirmations aloud, several times a day, with conviction. Always say your affirmations before you drift off to sleep at night and repeat them again upon waking in the morning, when your mind is most receptive to new ideas.

Another idea: record your affirmations into a tape recorder and listen to them in the car. Or check out these pre-recorded affirmations from Behavior Modification and Positive Thinking expert Mike Brescia, reviewed here: http://www.momscape.com/thinkrightnow/reviews.htm

As you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, you open your life to more confidence, drive, and success. Try it today and see.